Andy Burnham to Eliminate the 'Intention to Permit' Rule in the UK

Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to eliminate the 'intention to permit' rule, which currently prevents local councils from opposing the opening of new betting shops. Burnham claims that his new proposals "will return control to communities" and will also require planning permissions for new Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) in England. The elimination of 'intention to permit' could be implemented following a government consultation on amending the Gambling Act 2005.

Context and Proposed Changes

The current rule imposes a "legal duty on both the Gambling Commission and licensing authorities to permit gambling," thus limiting the ability of councils to block new openings. This clause has been criticized by members of the Labour Party, including Dawn Butler, as well as gambling reformers. The influential think tank Social Market Foundation (SMF) had previously called for the removal of 'intention to permit' in a report from October 2025. They have also proposed increasing taxes on online gambling and sports betting, as well as raising the tax on Category B gaming machines.

Impact on AGCs and Future Consultations

AGCs are not currently included in planning law, unlike betting shops, amusement arcades, and casinos. The government plans to hold a consultation to formally define these venues as "sui generis," thereby ensuring that planning permission is required for new AGCs. Burnham previously signed a letter along with Butler urging the removal of this "outdated" policy.

Decline of Betting Shops

According to the Gambling Commission, there were 5,782 betting shops in Great Britain as of September 2025. In March 2020, that figure was 7,681, reflecting a decline of 7.7% since March 2019. In the 1960s, there were over 16,000 betting shops following legalization in 1961. However, operators have been closing more stores due to rising taxes in the sector. The remote gambling tax increased from 21% to 40% on April 1, while the general betting tax will rise from 15% to 25% next April. Recently, Betfred confirmed the closure of over 130 shops, affecting up to 600 employees, with Evoke (William Hill) and Flutter (Paddy Power) also announcing reductions.

Official Statements

The government is also looking to control the proliferation of vape shops. Burnham has stated that "high streets have been emptied and become unrecognizable" after decades of decline. He argues that vape shops and betting shops have replaced "the shops, services, and community spaces demanded by people." The government is committed to "restoring our high streets and bringing hope across the UK."

A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) expressed support for strict measures against criminal operators but deemed it erroneous to suggest that betting shops are "spreading uncontrollably." According to them, "regulated and licensed betting shops still support 37,500 jobs and provide a crucial flow of foot traffic to neighboring businesses."

Jamie Gollings, deputy director of research at the SMF, opined that this announcement is a significant step towards local democracy and prosperous communities, returning "decision-making to where it belongs."