A North London council has called on the government to make urgent changes to gambling laws in order to protect the most vulnerable residents. It comes following the approval of another adult gaming centre in Harlesden, meaning the area – dubbed the ‘Las Vegas of Britain’ – will have seven gambling sites within a 600-metre stretch.
Brent Council had previously refused two applications at the same site – a vandalised vacant betting office on Park Parade – on the basis there was already the maximum number of that type of venue locally that their policies would allow. However, the closure of a nearby pawnbroker meant the 3 per cent threshold wouldn’t be exceeded and the application for a new adult gaming centre met national policy guidelines.
Despite members raising significant concerns about the ‘over concentration’ of casinos, gaming centres and gambling outlets in Harlesden at last week’s Planning Committee meeting (October 16), the application submitted by Silvertime Amusements Ltd was approved. This is due to it conforming with current local and national guidelines and a decision to refuse would ‘likely be overturned’ on appeal.
Senior members of Brent Council have subsequently written to the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, urging the Government to consider a number of recommended reforms to protect the community from the harms caused by gambling. The density of these sites in Harlesden specifically led some to suggest the area is turning into the Las Vegas of Britain.
There are six existing gambling sites in Harlesden, four of which are bookies – two Ladbrokes, one William Hill and one Paddy Power – as well as two adult gaming centres already run by Silvertime Amusements Ltd.
Deputy Leader of Brent Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, Cllr Mili Patel, described Harlesden as an area with ‘high levels of poverty and deprivation’ and previously suggested approving the application would undermine the council’s efforts to safeguard vulnerable adults.
Cllr Patel says the harmful consequences of gambling are well documented and linked to a range of social and public health issues, ‘including suicide, depression, anxiety, and financial ruin’.
She added: “Just a stone’s throw away from Harlesden High Street is a homeless shelter, and Harlesden itself is an area that faces a variety of economic, public health, and community safety challenges. It’s time for urgent action to protect our most vulnerable residents.”
The letter details six reforms that the council is asking the government to support, including granting greater power to local authorities to reject applications that ‘threaten the community’s welfare and safety’; enable councils to consider local household debt levels when deciding on applications; and a ban on gambling advertising.
Ward councillors for Harlesden and Kensal Green, Cllr Matt Kelcher and Cllr Jumbo Chan, said in a joint statement: “The communities we serve are experiencing firsthand the detrimental effects of unchecked gambling proliferation, and we must be empowered to act decisively to protect them.”
They added: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s aspiration that communities should be empowered to take back control over their own destinies, and believe this is a policy area where his aspiration can be made a reality.”
Silvertime Amusements Ltd could not be reached for a comment, however, the application states that the premises would ‘broaden the evening economy’, whilst having ‘no adverse impact on retailing activity’.
Grant Williams is a journalist and Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Reach PLC, reporting on local government, politics and community issues across London. As part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he has contributed to Harrow Online, covering council decisions, housing developments, transport, planning matters and stories affecting local communities across Harrow and Brent.
