Smethwick Casino Wins 24-Hour Licence Despite Police and Health Warnings

_{Admiral Casino granted 24 hours opening. (Image: Google)}

A high-street gaming venue in Smethwick has been granted permission to operate 24 hours a day despite objections from local police and public-health officials. The change means the Admiral Casino, Bearwood Road at 562 Bearwood Road, Bearwood, Smethwick will no longer have restricted opening hours as previously required.  

Approval Despite Concerns

The casino, operated by Luxury Leisure, applied to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to lift its existing planning-condition hours of 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., so that the adult gaming centre could operate round-the-clock.  

The application was approved despite formal objections from both the council’s public-health department and the West Midlands Police. Public health officials warned that extending the hours would cause “significant harm” to local residential amenity through increased noise, disturbance and late-night comings and goings.  

West Midlands Police flagged a rise in local crime and disorder. They noted approximately 34 reports of anti-social behaviour in the area over the previous year, 24 burglaries since November 2024, and 24 incidents of vehicle crime. They also stated the area qualifies as a “high-crime area” along Bearwood Road.  

Operator Makes Case 

Luxury Leisure argued in its planning statement that it is “unclear why the hours of use were restricted” and that the principle of 24-hour and late-night use in the town centre is already well established.  

The company also emphasised that the venue already holds a 24-hour gambling licence under the council’s licensing regime, and that the change would align the planning-permission hours with existing licensing permission.  

A noise assessment submitted with the application argued that there is no residential accommodation directly above or adjacent to the premises and that customer comings and goings, internal noise, and plant equipment would cause negligible disturbance even at night.  

Balancing Community with Business

For the operator, the approval removes a regulatory limit and potentially opens up increased revenue opportunities via a full 24 hour trading schedule. For local residents and agencies, the decision raises concerns about how intensified overnight activity in a high-street zone could impact community safety, amenity and the late-night economy.

The broader context: Bearwood Road already hosts a 24-hour gaming venue, several late-night take-aways and other adult gaming centres, which public-health officials say has already placed pressure on residential amenity and policing resources.  

Casino Can Open Continuously

With planning hours now unrestricted, the casino may open continuously. Local agencies such as the police and council will monitor any changes in crime, nuisance or amenity disturbance. Any subsequent licence reviews, safeguarding or regulatory actions will become key in assessing the real-world outcome of the decision.