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Betting Shops: Regulation

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 27 October 2025UIN 83811

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 97 of his policy paper entitled Pride in Place Strategy, published on 25 September 2025, whether the Cumulative Impact Assessments process will regulate existing betting premises.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh

Cumulative Impact Assessments will give local authorities powers to determine whether the cumulative impact of the number or density of gambling premises in a local area undermines the licensing objectives, particularly in areas that have been identified as vulnerable to gambling-related harms. We will introduce Cumulative Impact Assessments when parliamentary time allows.

While we expect that this would apply to new premises seeking a gambling licence or variations of existing licences, local authorities do already have a number of tools to manage existing betting premises, such as site inspections, restrictions on opening hours and suspending or revoking a gambling premises licence if premises are found to be non-complaint with the licensing objectives.

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