West London 24-Hour Casino Rejected in ‘Victory’ for Locals Against ‘Mini Las Vegas’

_{Earls Court aiming to protect residential areas from 'creeping nightlife'.(Image: Wim Wiskerke/Alamy)}

Kensington and Chelsea councillors in London have rejected a bid to turn a high street casino into a 24-hour venue in what campaigners are calling a win for local residents.

The council’s planning committee voted unanimously on Tuesday night (October 22) to deny Admiral Casino’s request to lift restrictions on its Earl’s Court Road shop. The company had sought to remove a condition limiting opening hours, arguing the rule was imposed “without any technical evidence.”

Residents Warn of a ‘Mini Las Vegas’

The decision followed months of pushback from residents who feared the change would increase late-night noise and antisocial behaviour. Earl’s Court Society chair Francesco Zibellini said even small changes could alter the character of the neighbourhood.

“Earl’s Court shops and homes are in very close proximity and its residents do not want any increase in noise, disturbance or degradation,” Zibellini said. 

“Not even by a tiny bit, because it’s with all these tiny bits that an area slowly changes, and in 10 years it will look like a mini Las Vegas.” 

One resident warned that allowing another casino to stay open overnight would create “an unacceptable amount of noise,” noting there are already late-night venues on the street.

Council Cites Community Risk

Planning committee chair Cllr Sam Mackover said gambling venues with extended hours pose “a risk to the area.” He added: “It’s not just the activity itself, the area is particularly vulnerable to this sort of impact.”

Fellow Earl’s Court councillor Linda Wade urged the committee to “place residents first.”

“The mission of the council is to act and protect its residents,” Wade said. 

“Your decision-making should clearly demonstrate that you’ve listened to residents. This is a time when the council should say no.” 

Cllr Tim Verboven, also of Earl’s Court, recused himself from voting due to his previous opposition to the plan.

Casino Argues Case for Late Hours

Representatives from Admiral Casino’s parent company, Luxury Leisure, told the council the extended hours would not disturb neighbours. A noise assessment submitted with the application concluded that the 24-hour operation would not cause “any discernible loss” of amenity.

The company also noted that neither the police nor the council’s environmental health team objected to the proposal.

Jerry Wilcox, Luxury Leisure’s regional manager, said the change would reflect customer demand. 

“Based on the operation of other 24-hour Luxury Leisure sites across England, it is typically envisaged that the customers during the nighttime period will be those who are working shifts,” he said.

Luxury Leisure may still appeal the council’s decision.

Area already under ASB restrictions

Earl’s Court Road is currently under a Public Space Protection Order to address antisocial behaviour. 

Despite the casino’s claim that no formal complaints had been filed about its existing operations, residents said that there was no indication of future impact. One objector noted that “240 objectors cannot be wrong.”

The council’s decision marks a clear stance against expanded gambling hours in Kensington and Chelsea, a borough that has sought to protect its residential character from creeping nightlife.