Barnet Conservatives have taken a pass on backing the national campaign to tackle ever growing numbers of betting outlets.
Barnet’s Labour councillors voted to join the national campaign to give councils more powers to reject new bookmakers and 24-hour arcades.
But Barnet Conservatives joined with Reform councillors in pulling their support from the motion.
Barnet’s Conservatives said they could not vote for the motion, as it was impolite to the 16 billion pound-a-year gambling industry.
Councillor Jennifer Grocock, speaking for the Conservatives, said: “We need to be wary of scapegoating the industry.”
Cllr Barry Rawlings, Barnet’s Labour Leader said: “I’m delighted that thanks to Labour councillors, Barnet will be campaigning for greater powers to restrict the number of gambling establishments.
“There’s already 7 gambling outlets in Childs Hill and potentially more on the way. Barnet Labour will campaign to protect our high streets, while the Conservatives worry about the feelings of a multi-billion pound industry.
“Whether they are defecting to Reform or just imitating them, it is clear voting for Conservatives is a gamble Barnet residents can’t take.”
Anne Clarke, Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden and Councillor for Cricklewood said: “We need these changes to the law to stop these unwanted gambling facilities, that can go ahead even when my local residents in Cricklewood, and across Barnet and Camden, do not want them. For areas like Cricklewood, action is vital.”
Notes to editors
The motion passed by Barnet Council on 8th July 20025 full Council Meeting can be found here: https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s90526/Administration%20Motion%20in%20the%20name%20of%20Cllr%20Whysall.pdf
The campaign now backed by Barnet Council calls for the following new powers for councils to limit the number of gambling establishments on high streets:
- Reform the ‘Aim to Permit’ policy to allow councils to refuse gambling premises that pose risks to local welfare and safety.
- Place all gambling premises (including adult gaming centres and bingo halls) in a single planning category to prevent loopholes.
- Give councils the power to consider local social and health factors, such as debt and proximity to schools, when reviewing planning applications.
- Direct the proceeds from the new statutory levy on gambling operators, to independent public bodies and local health authorities for harm prevention and treatment.
- Introduce greater restrictions on gambling advertising, sponsorships, and promotions – especially those reaching children and vulnerable groups.
- Halt any proposals that further liberalise adult gaming centres, including spin speeds and staking levels on B3 (Fixed Odds Betting Terminal) machines.
The Conservatives refused to support the motion as the council did not agree to remove the following clause from the bill: “For too long, the gambling industry had been extracting ever more profit from our high streets, while entrenching financial addiction among their players.”
