Starmer Urged to Scrap ‘Aim to Permit’ Rule That Handcuffs Councils on Betting Shops

_{Keir Starmer under pressure to step in to planning law row. (Image: Alan Evans/Casinos.com)}

Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces calls to abolish a controversial gambling law relating to betting shops and slots venues on local high streets.

Nearly 300 politicians, local leaders and campaigners have signed a cross‑party letter urging Starmer to scrap the so‑called “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act 2005, which they say restricts councils’ ability to refuse licences for new gambling premises even when there is strong local opposition.

Under the existing statute, local licensing authorities, including councils, and the UK Gambling Commission are legally required to “aim to permit” gambling premises licences so long as the application meets minimum criteria and is consistent with statutory licensing objectives such as preventing crime and protecting vulnerable people. Critics say this obligation limits councils’ power to block new betting shops or adult gaming centres.  

Casinos.com reported on a large number of planning applications for betting shops and adult gaming centres/casinos across the country in 2025.  

Labour MP Dawn Butler, who coordinated the appeal, told the prime minister the law has left communities “powerless” to resist a surge of gambling venues. She wrote that the rule has enabled high concentrations of bookmakers and 24‑hour slot‑machine shops on high streets, particularly in economically deprived areas, eroding local retail diversity and exacerbating social harms.  

Campaigners acknowledge the government’s recent pledge to bolster local powers by allowing councils to use cumulative impact assessments, a tool to factor in the existing number of gambling outlets when considering new licence applications, but argue this does not go far enough.  

Signatories to the letter include 46 MPs, six peers, more than 200 councillors and several mayors, among them Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. They wrote that abolishing the aim to permit principle is essential to giving councils meaningful control over gambling in their areas. Industry figures and some analyses underscore that issues like high street clustering are partly driven by commercial decisions such as rent costs.  

The government says it has already committed to giving councils “unprecedented new powers” to limit gambling outlets and is working with local authorities to help revitalise high streets and protect communities. A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport reiterated that proposed measures will strengthen local oversight.  

Industry representatives like the Betting and Gaming Council have defended the contribution of betting shops, noting they support tens of thousands of jobs and contribute significant tax revenues while often driving foot traffic to surrounding businesses. For example, trade body figures estimate around 5,800 betting shops support more than 40,000 jobs and generate substantial economic activity.  

The debate highlights a broader tension in Britain’s gambling regulation between national licensing frameworks and local autonomy. Reform advocates argue councils should have the flexibility to reflect local concerns and protect vulnerable communities, while industry groups warn that weakening national licensing principles could undermine a regulated market and shift consumers toward unregulated alternatives.