Brent councils gain power to block new betting shops after rule change

Brent Council and local residents have been granted new powers to block betting shops after the government removed the ‘aim to permit’ principle from the Gambling Act 2005. The rule change, announced on 12 August 2026, ends a presumption that councils should approve gambling premises, which campaigners said had allowed the industry to expand unchecked across the borough.

Brent Central MP Dawn Butler, who led the campaign for the change, said the decision would allow communities to reclaim control over their high streets. Butler told *The Guardian* that the previous rule had left councils with little ability to refuse new venues, even when residents objected. She described the change as a victory for London and for communities nationwide.

Brent’s gambling landscape

Brent has 81 licensed gambling venues, more than supermarkets in 17 of its 22 wards. The borough’s concentration of betting shops has been a long-standing concern for residents and campaigners. B3 gambling machines, which include slot and fruit-machine-style games, generate an average gross gambling yield of £35,000 per machine each year. This exceeds the annual earnings of a full-time worker on the national living wage, which stands at £26,400 for those aged 21 and over.

Butler highlighted the human cost of gambling harm during her campaign. A 2023 report estimated that between 117 and 496 suicides in England each year are linked to gambling. She cited the work of campaigners such as Jackie Olden, whose mother’s life was affected by a slot-machine addiction. Butler also referenced organisations like Gambling with Lives and Gambling Harm UK, which provided evidence for the reform.

What happens next

Brent Council will now have the authority to refuse new gambling premises applications without the previous legal presumption in favour of approval. The council is expected to review its licensing policy in the coming months, with opportunities for residents to submit objections or support for new applications. Formal consultations will be announced on the council’s website and in local notices.

Residents who wish to influence the council’s approach can attend licensing committee meetings or submit written representations. The council has not yet confirmed whether it will introduce a blanket policy on new betting shops or assess applications on a case-by-case basis. A spokesperson for Brent Council said it would engage with residents to shape the new approach but did not provide a timeline for the first decisions.

How residents can respond

Residents can monitor new gambling premises applications through the council’s public register, available on its website. Objections must be submitted in writing and can address concerns such as crime, public nuisance, or the protection of children. The council’s licensing committee will consider objections before making a decision.

Community groups or individuals who wish to campaign against new betting shops can contact the council’s licensing team for guidance on the process. Butler encouraged residents to hold the council to account and use the new powers to shape their neighbourhoods. She said the change was an opportunity for communities to demand high streets that reflect their priorities.