UK councils renew urgent call for gambling reform as real-world impacts mount
The fight for more emphatic gambling regulation has gained fresh momentum as more UK councils join forces and real-world examples of gambling harm make headlines.
The , Runnymede, Spelthorne and Surrey Heath, have backed a growing national movement demanding urgent change. They add their voices to over 40 councils across the UK, representing over 12 million people. Together, they argue that outdated gambling laws are leaving communities powerless against the spread of betting shops and gaming venues.
Ashford case highlights limits of council powers
The calls for reform have taken on new urgency following a controversial decision in Ashford, Surrey. Despite hundreds of local objections and opposition from Spelthorne MP Lincoln Jopp, an appeals board approved a new gambling centre.
The venue, set to open in a former bank, faced fierce resistance from residents concerned about the area’s vulnerability to gambling-related harm. The case has fuelled concerns that councils lack the tools needed to protect high streets and vulnerable communities.
Personal stories drive home the human cost
Campaigners also point to personal stories of gambling harm to show why change is vital. Michelle Singlehurst, from Camberley, shared her devastating experience with BBC Radio Surrey. After turning to gambling during a period of social isolation, she lost £500,000, suffered an overdose, and spent three weeks in hospital. “It can very quickly turn into something that can destroy your life,” she said. Michelle now supports the councils’ calls for reform, saying councils “cannot say no” to harmful applications under current laws.
National trends raise further alarm
At the heart of the councils’ campaign are concerns that gambling operators are targeting lower-income areas where the impact of gambling harm falls hardest. There has also been a sharp rise in B3 gaming machines (high-stakes slot machines) nationwide. Since the pandemic, the number of these machines has jumped from 171,000 to over 202,000.
Local authorities claim that this trend is overwhelming public services, from mental health support to homelessness prevention.
The rise in council-led calls for more rigid regulation echoes wider concerns that black market gambling is quietly expanding, as explored in a recent SiGMA report on the silent surge in unlicensed gambling.
Without stronger powers to reject new premises, councils say they are fighting a rising tide with their hands tied. Because of the current legal framework, councils must “aim to permit” gambling venues unless stringent conditions are met, even with overwhelming public opposition.
Political backing adds weight to reform calls
The movement has now gained political support as well. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Reform has formally endorsed the council’s open letter to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The letter demands reforms, including the power to block applications based on cumulative impact, greater local control over levy funds, and a complete ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship.
Local initiatives show the way, but national change is needed
To understand the original proposals behind the councils’ reform movement, SIGMA News recently published more detailed coverage of the six-point plan for tackling gambling harm.
Councils like Liverpool are already taking independent action, partnering with universities and public health organisations to launch harm reduction programmes. However, campaigners warn that these local efforts are fighting an uphill battle without national legislative change.
As pressure builds from local leaders, affected residents, and MPs, the government faces a growing chorus demanding that gambling laws finally reflect the real challenges modern British communities face.
