Legislation granting local councils greater control over betting shop licenses moves forward

(AsiaGameHub) –   Local councils would be empowered to carry out Gambling Impact Assessments under Amendment 305.

UK.- A bill aimed at providing local governments with greater control over retail gambling licensing has successfully cleared its third reading in the House of Lords. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is now proceeding toward final review and Royal Assent.

During the reporting phase, several amendments proposed by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government, received approval. A key development for the industry is Amendment 305, which integrates Gambling Impact Assessments (GIAs) into the Gambling Act 2005.

This shift moves away from the existing “aim to permit” principle, which generally requires licensing authorities to approve applications for betting shops or gaming centers unless they can provide substantial evidence to justify a rejection. Currently, denials without such proof are frequently overturned.

GIAs will alter this dynamic by permitting local authorities to identify specific zones where additional gambling venues might be harmful because of cumulative effects and local data on harm. In these designated regions, the burden of proof shifts to the applicants, who must demonstrate compliance with licensing goals to secure approval.

The text of the amendment explains: “This would amend the Gambling Act 2005 to enable licensing authorities to adopt, and act in accordance with, policies aimed at preventing the grant of gambling licences in order to respond to (a) the cumulative impact of multiple gambling premises or (b) other reasons relating to the licensing objectives in that Act.”

While the measure does not permit an absolute ban on gambling establishments, it allows for more scrutiny. Applicants can still contest rejections and may succeed if they prove they meet licensing standards. Consequently, while the “aim to permit” framework persists, Amendment 305 eliminates the automatic presumption of approval in sensitive areas.

Local governments have long sought this level of autonomy to address concerns over the saturation of betting venues. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously supported granting councils more authority. The legislation must now return to the House of Commons, where members of parliament retain the power to remove Amendment 305.