Councils 'powerless' over slot machine shops

The number of adult gaming centres in high streets has increased significantly in recent years

Local authorities are "effectively powerless" to stop 24-hour slot machine shops in high streets, a council has warned.

Members of King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council backed a proposal to ask the government to give authorities more control over adult gaming centres.

It comes after two centres – where players can spend up to £2 a spin – were approved in King's Lynn, despite concerns being raised by residents.

British Amusement Catering Trades Association (Bacta), which represents owners of gaming centres, said they were "among the safest places to gamble".

There are nearly 1,500 adult-only gaming centres in Britain, with some open for 24 hours every day.

Merkur operates two in King's Lynn, with its newest branch opening at the end of last year.

Admiral, the other giant in the trade, is due to open in the town soon.

Councillor Deborah Heneghan said she was worried poorer people were being targeted by gambling companies

Labour councillor Deborah Heneghan told a full meeting of the borough council that gambling companies "have been found to be targeting the least well-off areas for new sites".

"Residents have expressed concerns about this in King's Lynn and at present the borough council is effectively powerless to stop it," she warned.

Councils have little control when it comes to licensing venues because of the 2005 Gambling Act.

It requires them to approve gambling licences where minimum criteria are met, regardless of local community opposition.

Councillors backed a motion Heneghan put forward for the authority to join a coalition of other local authorities calling for more licensing powers from the government.

The council - which is controlled by independents - will now write to the government to ask for "urgent reforms".

Merkur has a number of branches in Norfolk

Zoë Osmond, chief executive of the charity GambleAware, said she was "concerned by the clustering of land-based venues in the most deprived areas of the country".

"Our research shows those in the most deprived areas are two times more likely to experience gambling harms, they should not be exposed to more gambling venues where they live."

But Bacta's president Joseph Cullis insisted that adult gaming centres were "among the safest places to gamble" and that stakes on the machines were "as little as 10p a spin".

"The idea that operators deliberately target disadvantaged areas is simply not accurate. Adult gaming centres tend to open on high streets where there is already footfall, alongside other hospitality and leisure venues," he said.

A spokesman for Merkur said the company took its responsibilities as a licensed operator "very seriously" and was "proud to invest in the high street".

"We continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure we operate to the highest standards."

Admiral has also been contacted for the comment.

The government said it was looking at what changes could be made to licensing rules for councils.

"We've set out plans to boost the existing powers they have over gambling shops so we can strengthen our communities and support healthier lifestyles," a spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said.