We have explained in the previous chapter how the liberalisation of gamblinghasledtotheproliferationofbettingshopsonhighstreets,andwereferredtotheevidenceoftheEstatesGazettethatthishasinturnledto“bunching”,withalmost700unitsonthesamehighstreetsasotherbookmakers https://www.suissecasinoenligne.com/.

TheLocalGovernmentAssociationhavealsodrawnattentiontothisissue,whichtheyrefertoasthe“clustering”ofbettingshops,andhavepointedouttousthatlicensingauthoritieshaveacontradictorymixofpowersundertheGambling Act, with the ability to bar the opening of local casinos, but noreal power to prevent the opening of other premises. “Due to the statutory‘aimtopermit’,289licensingauthoritiesareunabletopreventtheopeningof certain gambling premises in their areas even if they feel that they arealready saturated with them.

There should be more local flexibility withintheActfordemocraticallyelectedcouncillorstomakesuchdecisionsiftheycanbeshowntobeintheinterestsofthelocaleconomyandcommunity.