Overview

This bill aims to control the number of betting shops with fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in England by making them subject to planning permission. Local authorities will assess demand and impose limits on the number of such shops they can approve.

Description

The bill amends the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. It creates a new planning use class specifically for betting shops with FOBTs (Class A4).

This means that any new betting shop wanting to install FOBTs will require planning permission from the local council. Councils must consider local demand for such shops when making their decisions. Crucially, each council must set a cap on the total number of FOBT betting shops permitted within their area.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to directly increase or decrease government spending. The cost of implementing and enforcing the new regulations will likely fall upon local authorities, potentially affecting their existing budgets but with no direct additional government funding implied in the bill text itself.

Groups Affected

• Local Planning Authorities: Will be responsible for assessing demand, setting caps, and processing planning applications for FOBT betting shops, increasing their workload.
• Betting Shop Owners: Will face increased barriers to opening new shops or expanding existing ones with FOBTs, potentially impacting their business profitability.
• Gamblers: May experience changes in the accessibility and proximity of FOBT betting shops depending on the decisions of local planning authorities.
• Local Communities: May see altered levels of FOBT-related activity in their areas, potentially impacting local businesses and social environments.

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