Key Points
- Approximately one-third of adult gaming centres (AGCs) are located in the poorest 10% of UK neighbourhoods.
- The borough of Brent in London has one of the highest densities of AGCs, with gambling-related harm rates surpassing the national average.
- Since 2012, associated social and economic costs in areas like Harlesden, Wembley, and Kensal Green have increased over sevenfold.
- The “aim to permit” licensing rule restricts local councils from rejecting new AGC license applications.
- Political representatives and local authorities express concern over the negative impact of AGCs on vulnerable communities.
- The Social Market Foundation (SMF) has proposed six reforms to licensing and regulatory frameworks to curb gambling harms.
- Calls for urgent reforms include enhancing council licensing powers and involving public health officials in the process.
What Are the Main Concerns Over Adult Gaming Centres in Deprived Communities?
As reported by Amelia Hart of The Guardian, recent investigations reveal that adult gaming centres are disproportionately concentrated in some of the United Kingdom’s most economically deprived areas. Ms Butler, Member of Parliament for North London, expressed serious alarm by the findings, highlighting that nearly a third of all AGCs are situated in the poorest 10% of neighbourhoods across the country.
This concentration raises concerns about the exposure of vulnerable populations to gambling-related harms, normalisation of gambling behaviour especially among youth, and a possible increase in associated social issues such as crime.
Why Is Brent Borough a Focus of These Concerns?
The Social Market Foundation (SMF), through a comprehensive study published at the end of last month, examined the distribution and impact of adult gaming centres nationally, with particular emphasis on London’s Brent borough.
As Edward Collins of BBC News noted, Brent exhibits one of the highest densities of gaming establishments within the nation, particularly around Harlesden, Wembley, and Kensal Green. These areas have experienced gambling-related harms exceeding the national average, alongside a sevenfold rise in social and economic detriments since 2012.
Dr James Noyes, a senior fellow at SMF and co-author of the study, warned that the high concentration of AGCs in Brent risks normalising gambling among younger residents and potentially fuels crime levels. He added that local authorities face significant challenges in controlling the expansion of AGCs, even amidst resident opposition.
How Does the “Aim to Permit” Licensing Rule Affect Local Councils?
One of the substantial barriers identified in the SMF report is the regulation known as the “aim to permit” licensing rule. This rule limits local councils’ power to refuse license applications for new adult gaming centres.
Ms Butler criticised this policy as being at odds with governmental aims to reduce gambling harms. She argued that this regulation effectively disempowers local communities from influencing the presence of AGCs in their neighbourhoods and undermines efforts to protect vulnerable groups.
“This licensing approach makes it very difficult for councils to prevent the proliferation of gaming centres in areas most in need of protection,”
Ms Butler stated in an interview with City AM’s Sophie Turner.
What Are the Social and Economic Impacts Reported in the Study?
The SMF study utilised a combination of legislative reviews, interviews with frontline workers, residents, retail staff, and surveys with 348 participants from Brent’s communities and businesses.
The findings highlight an alarming rise in gambling-related harms and the resulting social and economic costs. The upward trend in the incidence of gambling addiction, financial hardship, and associated crime is pronounced in the borough’s deprived neighbourhoods.
Councillor Mili Patel, Deputy Leader of Brent Council, told The Independent’s Anil Shukla:
“Our high streets are suffering, not only economically but socially. The flood of adult gaming centres is exacerbating problems for communities already struggling, and urgent reforms must bring these under local democratic control.”
What Recommendations Did the Social Market Foundation Propose?
In response to these findings, the SMF has recommended six key reforms aimed at tackling gambling-related harms and addressing issues with current licensing regimes:
- Enhance local council powers to reject or restrict licences.
- Involve public health officials in licensing decisions.
- Reassess and reform license categories to better reflect risk.
- Increase license fees with proceeds directed to community support.
- Clarify enforcement responsibilities to ensure accountability.
- Remove the “aim to permit” rule to empower local decision-making.
Dr James Noyes emphasised the need for coordinated action:
“Only by equipping councils with real powers and involving public health in this process can we hope to tackle the harms linked to adult gaming centres.”
How Are Residents Reacting to the Proliferation of Adult Gaming Centres?
Resident feedback collected during the SMF’s research reflects widespread dissatisfaction and concern. Many participants questioned the value AGCs bring to their local economy and wellbeing, feeling that these venues contribute more to harm than to community benefit.
“I don’t see how having more gaming venues here helps anyone. We see people struggling with debt, sometimes resorting to crime,”
said a resident of Harlesden interviewed by The Telegraph’s Sarah Bennett.
What Is the Political Response to the Issue?
Political representatives at both local and national levels have voiced calls for legislative change. Ms Butler has been vocal in urging the government to abolish the “aim to permit” licensing rule, arguing for greater community control over gambling establishments.
Councillor Patel reinforced Brent Council’s stance on reform, stating:
“We want regulatory frameworks to support safer, healthier communities and to enable residents to reclaim their high streets.”
What Is the Outlook for Reform?
While the government has acknowledged concerns over gambling harms, the pace and scope of regulatory change remain uncertain. Stakeholders are urging for swift action to prevent further concentration of AGCs in vulnerable areas and to mitigate the escalating social and economic impact.
The SMF study is expected to influence upcoming government consultations on gambling licensing reforms, potentially shaping legislation to better protect deprived communities.
