Betting shops and adult gaming centres could face a tougher local licensing test in Great Britain. Ministers plan to consult on removing the Gambling Act 2005’s “aim to permit” principle. No law has changed, and no effective date has been set.

Gambling Minister Vicky Foxcroft said on September 30 that the consultation should begin “very shortly”, according to Betting.co.uk. The proposal would give councils more room to oppose new gambling premises when local concerns include clustering, deprivation or pressure on high streets.

What the rule does now

Under Section 153 of the Gambling Act 2005, licensing authorities must generally aim to permit gambling premises when applications meet the relevant legal requirements, official guidance, licensing objectives and local policy.

The Gambling Commission says the principle creates a presumption in favour of permission. Councils can still refuse an application if they are not satisfied that it meets the statutory tests. Each case must be considered on its own merits.

The framework applies to Great Britain, meaning England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate gambling system and is not covered by the Gambling Act 2005 framework described here.

Why ministers want a change

The government has linked the proposed reform to its high-street policy. In an announcement published on August 11, ministers said councils should have a stronger say over betting shops and 24-hour gaming-machine venues in town centres.

A written statement to Parliament on September 1 said councils, MPs and residents had raised concerns about clusters of gambling premises, particularly adult gaming centres, in areas already facing economic and social challenges.

The statement also said councils had sometimes seen refusals overturned after costly legal challenges. That is a key reason the proposed change could matter: it may affect not only the first local decision, but also how difficult it is to defend that decision later.

The proposed change is not a blanket ban. It would alter how local authorities weigh applications for additional gambling premises.

What could change for operators and councils

  • Operators: new betting shops and adult gaming centres could face closer scrutiny from local licensing committees.
  • Councils: local concerns may carry greater weight if the statutory presumption to permit is removed.
  • Residents: objections could become more influential, but they would not automatically block a new premises.
  • Existing businesses: the proposal would not itself revoke current premises licences or impose new operating conditions.

The government has also linked the plan to Gambling Impact Assessments, which were introduced earlier in 2026. The assessments are intended to help councils consider local gambling-related risks when reviewing applications.

The next legal step

The immediate step is consultation. Ministers must still publish the consultation, gather evidence and decide whether to proceed with legislation or another formal legal change.

Until that process produces an operative measure, the current Section 153 principle remains in force. Betting-shop and adult-gaming-centre applications will continue to be handled under the existing Great Britain framework, alongside local licensing policies and Gambling Commission guidance.

The political direction is clear, but the practical test for councils, operators and residents has not yet been rewritten. For now, the proposed reform changes the debate, not the law.