Urgent Appeal for Gambling Regulation Reinforcement by UK Councils Increases, as Real-World Adverse Effects Escalate
The battle for tougher gambling regulations in the UK is heating up, with an increasing number of councils joining forces and real-world cases of gambling-related harm hitting the headlines.
In a groundbreaking move, three Surrey councils – Runnymede, Spelthorne, and Surrey Heath – have backed a growing national campaign seeking immediate reform. They join over 40 other councils in the UK, representing more than 12 million people, who argue that outdated laws leave communities helpless against the expansion of betting shops and gaming venues.
Ashford Episode: Council Power Falls Short
The calls for reform have gained even more momentum after a controversial decision in Ashford, Surrey. Despite hundreds of local objections and the opposition of Spelthorne MP Lincoln Jopp, an appeals board approved a new gambling center. The venue, slated to open in a former bank, faced fierce resistance from residents who were worried about the area's vulnerability to gambling harm. The Ashford incident has raised concerns that councils lack the necessary tools to safeguard high streets and vulnerable communities.
Heartbreaking Stories of Gambling Harm
Campaigners use personal testimonies to underscore the urgency of the situation. Michelle Singlehurst, a resident of Camberley, shared her heart-wrenching story with BBC Radio Surrey. After turning to gambling while isolating, she ended up losing £500,000, suffered an overdose, and spent three weeks in the hospital. "It can very quickly turn into something that can destroy your life," she said. Inspired by her experience, Michelle now supports the councils' call for reform, stating that "councils cannot say no " to potentially harmful applications under the current laws.
National Trends Spotlight Further Challenges
Campaigners also point to national trends as evidence of the need for change. Local authorities argue that gambling operators are targeting lower-income areas, where the negative effects of gambling harm are most severe. Additionally, there has been a significant increase in B3 gaming machines (high-stakes slot machines) across the country. Since the pandemic, the number of these machines has jumped from 171,000 to over 202,000. This trend, they claim, is overwhelming public services, from mental health support to homelessness prevention.
Backup From Political Sphere
This movement has also gained political support. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Reform has formally endorsed the councils' open letter to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport. The letter calls for reforms, including the power to block applications considering cumulative impact, increased local control over levy funds, and a complete ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship.
From Local Efforts to National Change
Local initiatives, such as harm reduction programs launched by councils like Liverpool, are already underway. However, campaigners stress that these local efforts face significant challenges without national legislative change. With the growing pressure from local leaders, affected residents, and MPs, the government faces a steadily increasing demand for gambling laws that recognize and address the real challenges faced by modern British communities.
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england- coventry-warwickshire-62535548
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/feb/17/webwatch-uk-gambling-regulator-youtube-complaints-up double
[3] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tightening-the-rules-on-gambling-jf9rkzrcq
[4] https://www.gov.uk/hm-gov-uk- responds-to-reports-on-the-impact-of-gambling-machine-stakes
- The Surrey councils of Runnymede, Spelthorne, and Surrey Heath, together with 40 other UK councils, argue that outdated laws render communities powerless against the proliferation of betting shops and gaming venues, citing the expansion of gambling trends as a growing concern.
- The controversial approval of a new gambling center in Ashford, Surrey, has added fuel to the calls for reform, particularly when hundreds of local objections and the opposition of Spelthorne MP Lincoln Jopp were ignored.
- The Ashford incident has highlighted the need for councils to be equipped with stronger tools to safeguard high streets and vulnerable communities from potential gambling harm.
- Personal testimonies, such as Michelle Singlehurst's heart-wrenching account of losing £500,000 due to gambling during isolation, emphasize the urgency of this issue and the need for immediate reform to prevent similar cases.
- Campaigners draw attention to national trends, including the targeting of lower-income areas and the significant increase in B3 gaming machines since the pandemic, exacerbating concerns about the impact on public services like mental health support and homelessness prevention.
- To address these challenges, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Reform has endorsed the councils' appeal, calling for reforms in policy and legislation, including the power to block harmful applications, increased local control over levy funds, and a ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship.
