Hackney considers fourth betting shop within walking distance of the others
BA Journalism student Sachin Badrakia reports
Hackney may find out next week if it is to get another betting shop within walking distance of three gambling premises.
The council’s licensing sub-committee considered retail bookmaker Jenningsbet’s application for a betting premises license in Stoke Newington on Tuesday (March 3).
A final decision is expected within five working days.
The application relates to a site that previously operated as Ladbrokes betting shop. It has drawn criticism from some members of the public with one resident emailing the council to say it “should be ashamed” of itself for “allowing the poorest and most mentally unwell people in Hackney to spend more money that they already don’t have.”
The resident added that the council should be opening rehabilitation centres instead and “getting people off the street”.
Councillor Anya Sizer, a member of the licensing sub-committee, also voiced concern at the meeting about another betting shop in the area. “We already have three gambling premises within 800 metres,” she said. “In an area of poverty and where we have seen a rise in gambling, are we adding to negative cumulative impact?”
Sizer said that the area recently suffered significant disruption, including a building collapse, which had a “massive impact” on local businesses.
Andrew Woods, who represented Jenningsbet at the hearing, said the Gambling Act 2005 does not restrict the number of betting shops in a particular area.
Acknowledging that “the Gambling Act isn’t to everyone’s liking”, Woods said objections based on a moral opposition to gambling could not be taken into account under current legislation. Resident complaints are also “not considerations” under the Act, he added.
Woods said that Jenningsbet would be in contact with police about any concerns over antisocial behaviour and would work with the authorities to promote licensing objectives.
Under the Gambling Act, councils must base decisions on specific licensing objectives, including preventing crime and disorder and protecting children and vulnerable people from harm.
Ladbrokes ran a betting office at the same site from 2008 to 2024.
The Gambling Commission, which regulates most types of gambling in Great Britain, says the market’s value is nearly £17bn.
A version of this post was originally published in EastLondonLines