UK campaigners urge government to scrap gambling licensing aim-to-permit rule
A letter signed by 300 elected officials and campaigners has asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government to abolish the UK's “aim to permit” principle for gambling licences. Labour MP Dawn Butler led the effort; the Betting & Gaming Council defended betting shops' contribution to jobs, tax and nearby businesses, while the government had not publicly responded to the letter.
Changing the principle could alter how local authorities assess applications for betting shops and adult gaming centres.