13/08/2026
As of 2026 so many UK high streets are ghost towns. What were once lively and bustling streets are left quiet and run down, with the only signs of life being vape and betting shops.
The newly elected leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, wants to give people and councils more control over what opens up in a bid to breathe life back into high streets.
Gambling venues in deprived areas
There is currently a disproportionate number of gambling venues in deprived areas, and last year, Gamban called this out.
To put it into perspective, there are around 1,450 adult gaming centres across the UK, and more than half of these are in the poorest 20% of neighbourhoods.
This is not accidental. The rise of so-called adult gaming centres in deprived locations is the gambling industry deliberately targeting vulnerable people. With enticing advertising and ‘free bet’ offers, they aim to profit from those who have the most to lose.
Gambling addiction in the UK
An estimated 1.4 million adults in Britain have a gambling problem and the issue is only getting worse. We are constantly bombarded with gambling advertisement on TV and social media, with free spins even being offered when booking on Uber.
In the London Borough of Brent alone, there are more than 80 gambling venues. Both on and offline, gambling feels impossible to avoid.
Gambling Commission research found that, among gamblers prompted by a free-bet or free-money offer, 26% said it prompted them to gamble for the first time.
Families are ruined, people fall into debt, crimes are committed, communities suffer and lives are lost. Why would society want something so destructive to be constantly promoted?
How is the UK government helping?
Earlier this week, Andy Burnham announced he would scrap the 'aim to permit' rule, which currently restricts councils from refusing new betting shops and 24-hour slot venues even when there are local concerns.
From the start of next year, these locations will also need planning permission.
The government will also support councils to tidy up shopfronts and make high streets more welcoming, setting clearer standards for how high streets should look and sharing best practice from places already getting it right.
This is an excellent step in the right direction that prioritises protecting local communities and rebuilding the UK’s high streets ahead of gambling industry profits.
Help for gambing harm
If you or someone you know is experiencing gambling harm, there are organisations who can help.
- Self exclude from all online gambling with Gamban.
- If you have gambling debt, there are organisations that can help. Find out more here.
- Self-exclude from all the betting shops in your area here.
- Self-exclude from all UK casinos here.
- There is support for affected others at GamFam.
- There is peer support and support with the criminal justice system available at GamLEARN.
- Gamblers Anonymous isn’t for everyone, but it's available worldwide and is a free, anonymous way to talk to others suffering from gambling harm.
- The Gamban Discord is another free, anonymous platform where you can get together with others to chat, play games, or just read what others have to say.
