News: Council seeks greater control of Betting Shops
- Date: 10/11/2011
- Source: Poppleston Allen
- Author/Solicitor: Nick Arron
The Local Government Association (LGA) spoke yesterday on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry into the Gambling Act 2005.
They explained to the Committee that one of the unintended consequences of the Act was the proliferation of betting shops on some High Streets and gave examples of some boroughs in London which have up to 8 betting shops on a single street. They explained that the betting shops were not regarded as attractive and created an atmosphere that some found threatening. However, the LGA found it difficult to demonstrate increases in crime and disorder as a result of betting premises.
The LGA have called for new powers to prevent the proliferation of betting shops. They explained that efforts to control betting premises have been frustrated by complicated and costly planning rules and by the unintended consequences of the Gambling Act 2005 which prevented them from rejecting new applications. Councils must aim to permit the use of premises for gambling when determining an application.
The Association of British Bookmakers' (ABB) evidence contradicts the Local Authority's. The ABB figures show that betting shop numbers have remained stable at about 8,500 over the past decade, down from over 15,000 at the end of 1960's. Investigations by some boroughs in London have shown that overall, figures have not increased although in some places there has been clustering.
Interestingly, there was discussion of the demand test with MPs pointing to customer demand for premises indicating that clearly there was a market for betting premises within the areas where they have clustered. They rejected calls for a return to the previous demand test under the old legislation.
The Committee is expected to report in early 2012.
For more information please contact Nick Arron
