Slot machine arcades are experiencing record profits as their presence expands rapidly across Britain’s high streets, prompting renewed calls for the government to empower councils with stronger planning and licensing powers. New figures from the Gambling Commission show that betting and gaming revenues – excluding the National Lottery – reached a record £11.5bn in the year to March 2024, with adult gaming centres (AGCs) contributing £623m, an 11% increase driven by aggressive expansion from companies like Merkur and Admiral.
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These high street AGCs are disproportionately concentrated in economically deprived areas and often operate 24 hours a day, raising concerns over their impact on vulnerable people. The number of slot machines rose to a record 74,523, with high-speed B3 machines generating £463m – a 16% jump. Despite growing profits, campaigners argue that these arcades are fuelling harm and exploiting planning loopholes to open more venues with little local oversight.
Labour MPs including Dawn Butler, Beccy Cooper and Andrew Pakes, along with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, have criticised the government’s failure to act. They argue that councils currently lack sufficient powers to prevent the spread of gambling venues, as the “aim to permit” clause under the 2005 Gambling Act forces local authorities to favour approval. Burnham, backed by over 30 councils, is pushing for planning reform to grant communities greater say over what opens on their high streets.
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Trade body Bacta defended the sector, calling AGCs “safe, low-stake entertainment” venues and warning that reforms could create legal uncertainty for legitimate businesses. Meanwhile, campaigners remain concerned that government proposals on devolution and local authority powers may not be fully enacted. Online slot losses also hit a record high of £3.56bn, underlining the need for stricter regulation of both physical and digital gambling platforms, particularly those shown to be highly addictive.
