Industry group pledges to defend UK gaming hall sector’s reputation

Bacta intends to challenge government proposals to remove the “aim to permit gambling” rule to make it easier for local authorities to reject applications for new gaming centres.

UK.- The UK gaming hall trade body Bacta has responded to the government’s plans to give local authorities greater powers to block new Adult Gaming Centres. It said it intends to “steadfastly challenge the proposals whilst defending the reputation of the sector”.

Earlier this week, the new Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to remove the 2005 Gambling Act’s “aim to permit gambling” rule. The rule requires local government authorities to lean towards approving applications for new gambling venues unless there are clear risks to licensing objectives. Local councils have complained that the rule limits their ability to reject applications from a sector that is often portrayed as growing exponentially.

The reforms announced this week will also introduce new planning permission requirements for 24-hour adult gaming centres and for vape shops, while Burnham had already signalled an intention to reduce business rate relief for gaming halls and other high-street businesses deemed to have a “negative impact” on society.

Gaming hall data tells a different story

However, Bacta said the figures tell a different story from the picture being painted of an expanding industry. Gambling Commission data shows that the number of AGCs has fallen from 1,610 in 2015 to 1,415 in 2025, a decline of around 200 premises over the past decade.

Bacta President Joseph Cullis said: “The Government’s announcement associates responsible, licensed AGCs with illegal and criminal businesses. This is totally inaccurate. Bacta members operate in one of the most tightly regulated sectors on the high street, uphold rigorous standards of social responsibility and make an important contribution to local employment, investment and economic activity.”

It’s expected that the proposal to end the Gambling Act 2005’s aim to permit principle will be put to a six-week consultation, meaning that the changes will potentially take effect from early 2027. Until then there is no immediate change affecting the operation of existing venues.

“Bacta will push back in the strongest possible terms,” Cullis pledged. “We will urgently engage with the Government, DCMS, the new Gambling Minister and other political stakeholders. We will respond robustly to any consultation – our case will be grounded in evidence and will challenge the inaccurate claims that are being used to justify these measures.”

Meanwhile, the UK government’s gambling brief has changed hands for the ninth time since the Gambling Act review began. The new UK gambling minister is Vicky Foxcroft, the MP for Lewisham North since 2024.