The UK government has proposed new powers that would allow local communities and leaders to prevent gambling shops from overwhelming high streets, as part of broader amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
The changes, tabled in Mid-March, aim to give regions greater control over their local spaces amid ongoing concerns about the proliferation of betting premises in town and city centres.
Under the proposed amendments, communities would gain the ability to tackle the concentration of gambling premises on high streets, if approved by Parliament.
This builds on long-standing calls from councils, campaigners, and residents to curb what critics describe as an oversaturation of bookmakers and adult gaming centres, often linked to concerns over gambling harm in vulnerable areas.
A range of measures
The measures form one element of a package of amendments designed to devolve more authority from Westminster. Other provisions include:
- Extending the Community Right to Buy period for protecting pubs, parks, libraries, and other local assets from five to 10 years;
- Empowering mayors to champion arts, heritage, and creative industries;
- Cracking down on dangerous pavement parking outside London;
- Strengthening taxi and private hire licensing standards;
- Establishing Local Scrutiny Committees to hold regional mayors accountable for spending and decisions.
“Each region in England has its own unique history, culture and identity. It’s right that we recognise that, champion it, and provide the people in those communities with the powers they need to make the most of the places they call home,” said Minister for Devolution Miatta Fahnbulleh.
“We’ve listened to what our regions want and need – and that’s why we are providing the powers that local leaders need, and the accountability local people deserve, to make a real difference at the heart of villages, towns and cities up and down the country.”
The amendments align with the government’s wider push to revive high streets, including £150 million in funding to boost community pride and combat decline.
They follow years of pressure to reform rules under the Gambling Act 2005, particularly the “aim to permit” principle which critics argue obliges licensing authorities to favour approving new betting shops even in saturated areas.
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