Surrey casino applies for 24/7 licence

The casino could use an electronic lock between certain hours

A Surrey casino has applied for a 24/7 gambling licence, despite local opposition.

Golden Slots (Southern) Limited requested the licence for an adult gaming centre in the former Barclays bank building on Church Street, Ashford.

Spelthorne Borough Council refused planning permission for the gaming centre three times, although it was eventually overruled at appeal in April 2025.

The government planning inspector greenlit the scheme but with conditions, including reduced opening hours of 09:00-23:00, sound insulation and managing potential late-night disturbances.

The applicant's agent said it would not breach planning conditions regarding opening hours, whether or not it gets the 24/7 licence.

An electronic lock that staff will have to open would be used from 22:00-08:00, according to the application.

It also said that 24-hour CCTV, staff training, a 'Think 25' age verification policy and self-exclusion tools for customers would be used to minimise harm to the community.

An assessment on the local gambling risk recognised the site's proximity to schools, care homes, ATMs and existing gambling premises, but found a low risk of harm because of the proposed safeguards, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Golden Slots is an established operator that has held an operating licence since January 2016 without any enforcement action taken against it, the application states.

It operates other sites in Milton Keynes, Haringey, Cricklewood and Northampton.

Residents can comment on the application on the council's website until 27 August.