Since
the introduction of addictive roulettecontent to Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) in 2002, FOBTs have blighted communities; creating a hive of crime on the high street and being at the centre of
money laundering,
vandalismand
problem gambling. The Campaign for Fairer Gambling has tried to help councillors and members of the community take a stand against FOBTs by drafting model motions and letters to MPs. But now the Campaign is taking formal action by submitting a response to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) latest
technical consultation on planning.
In response to the document,
the Campaignpresented evidence in reference to point two of the consultation: reducing planning regulations to support housing, high streets and growth.
The Campaignsupports measures that help deliver more homes, support high streets and encourage better, more flexible use of premises including laundrettes, amusement arcades, casinos and nightclubs. However, Adult Gaming Centres are showing a trend for conversion to licensed betting shops in order to house FOBTs instead of residential premises that truly benefit the community, such as restaurants and cafes.
The Campaignas backed the proposal that a planning application should be required for any change of use to a betting shop or pay day loan shop (A2 use class). The product mix in betting shops is no longer centred on over the counter betting. Instead bookmakers are fixated on highly lucrative FOBTs. Limits to the number of FOBTs allowed per shop has led to the five major bookmakers opening betting shop ‘clusters’ at prominent high street locations, typically in areas of deprivation.
The Campaignhas therefore suggested that betting shops are excluded from a permitted development right for an ancillary building within the area of an existing shop, to prevent the splitting of premises. This would be of huge benefit to Local Government as they would regain power over what premises appear on their high streets.
In order to limit proliferation of betting shops and FOBTs,
the Campaignalso proposes the reintroduction of a demand test, established under the 1963 Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act. Replacing the current “aim to permit” test with a demand test would allow local authorities to refuse a premise licence application for a betting shop if, in their opinion, it was practical to do so given the demand and other provision for betting and gaming machines in the area, therefore linking the decision making process and giving local authorities more powers.
Placing tighter restrictions on the permitted development rights for betting shops and pay day loan shops would help curb their proliferation on the high street and prevent further job losses. Betting shops focussing on labour un-intensive FOBTs as the primary source of income has resulted in 6,000 jobs being lost across the betting sector in addition to the effect of FOBTs in the wider economy, as detailed by the
Landman Economics report.
Enabling easier transition from betting shop use to any other use under permitted development rights will encourage transfer of these premises to alternative retail use if they become vacant. But, with the lucrative FOBT expansion strategy currently in place across the big five operators, there is likely to be no decline in the existing numbers of betting shops in the foreseeable future.
However councils are fighting back, such as Newham. Developed under the Sustainable Communities Act Newham’s proposal calls upon the Government to reduce the maximum bet per spin on FOBTs to £2 from its current £100 maximum stake.
The more local authorities that support Newham’s proposal, the more chance it has of succeeding. If you’re a Councillor, ask your leader to support this motion by writing to Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales. As a member of the community you can encourage your local authority to support the motion by contacting your local Councillor.
For more information about the Stop the FOBTs campaign visit
www.stopthefobts.org
.