Backed by a myriad of key figures, including local mayors, Labour MP Dawn Butler is spearheading a campaign to increase the powers of local councils when it comes to stopping gambling venues in their constituencies.
It’s a move that takes on heightened importance during a year when council elections are set to define the political landscape of the UK, with many even predicting that they could lead to the downfall of the current premiership.
The land based sector was largely alleviated from any governmental burden during the tax hikes that occurred last year. However, retail betting locations scarcely operate in isolation and will have still felt the squeeze of the remote sector.
But as the dust settles on the debate over tax rates, the Commons appeared united in its rallying cry for a tougher framework on the land-based sector.
Spearheading the campaign is Butler, who underpinned her vehement support for the repealing of the Aim-to-Permit rule of the Gambling Act 2005, enabling UK councils to regain local planning and licensing powers over gambling venues.
Butler drew attention to the proliferation of gambling venues in less affluent areas, stating: “It’s not right. I come with thousands of written complaints from my constituents who want action on the number of gambling venues. But it’s still not enough because of the Aim-to-Permit law.
“Let’s be clear, they don’t help high streets. They set up knowing other shops don’t want to be there, because these establishments entice people with free food and drink, teas and coffee. There is no point in having a coffee shop when it’s being given away for free next door.”
There were also concerns raised by Butler on the current consultations around the the 80/20 rule, which requires 80% of machines to be lower-stakes.
Butler was adamant that the rule must not be ‘liberalised’, warning that operators already ‘know how to work around it’.
Both bookmakers and slots venues appear to have been brought under the same umbrella by campaigners and backbench MPs, who are unrelenting in tightening the framework around high street gambling.
That being said, there is a surging voice in support of the industry and its presence on the High Street.
Reform, alongside the Green Party, is widely expected to have major success at the May Council elections, and Reform’s Leader Nigel Farage utilised his platform on Times Radio to emphasise support for the gambling sector,
The high street is embattled across the board, however, after much criticism, the government did decide to dilute plans to increase business rates for pubs.
Reacting to the government decision, Farage stated: “It’s not just business rates, important though that is, it’s a whole variety of other taxes and regulations. Take gambling taxes. To think of our high streets, they are dominated by bookmakers and charity shops.
“I promise you, in a year’s time, most of those bookmakers will be gone because of recent changes on gambling taxes in this budget.
“And what you’re seeing with horse racing and football betting is it’s either going to the black market or it’s mostly going abroad. Most of my friends that bet now bet with offshore bookmakers, just because it’s become so uncompetitive and so difficult here.”
Furthermore, writing an opinion piece for the Betting and Gaming Council, Mary Glindon, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, emphasised that all is not as it seems when it comes to the proliferation of high street betting shops.
Glindon stated: “Betting itself is a lawful leisure activity enjoyed by millions of people every month. The vast majority do so safely and responsibly, within a framework that is among the most tightly regulated of any consumer-facing industry. That context is important when we consider how betting shops are treated by the government.
“Crucially, any discussion needs to start from the reality on the ground. We need to fully recognise the pressures facing town centres and the importance of effective local regulation. But contrary to some public narratives, licensed betting shops are not expanding or proliferating. They are disappearing.
“Nationally, the number of betting shops has fallen sharply in recent years, from 8,304 in 2019 to 5,825 by March 2025 – a decline of around 30 per cent. That contraction has already resulted in more than 10,000 job losses across the country, affecting local workers and weakening the fabric of high streets that are already under strain.
“That trend shows no sign of reversing. Further closures are expected as the tax increases announced at the Budget place additional pressure on operators’ retail estates.”
