Four Ealing local politicians have signed a cross-party letter, led by Dawn Butler, the Labour MP for Brent East, urging the government to scrap the “aim to permit” principle in gambling law.
The signatories include Councillor Aysha Raza (Central Greenford ward), Councillor Ben Wesson (Pitshanger ward), councillor Dee Martin (Northolt West End ward) and Bassam Mahfouz, the London Assembly member for Ealing and Hillingdon.
The Ealing signatories are among 280 people who backed the letter, coordinated by Ms Butler and sent to Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister, calling on him to remove the principle from the Gambling Act 2005, introduced under Tony Blair’s government. The letter argues that the current framework is enabling the spread of betting shops, casinos and adult gaming centres, often clustered in areas already facing deprivation.
Councillor Aysha Raza told EALING.NEWS: “At a time that useful services like banks and independent businesses are disappearing we are seeing a worrying increase in gambling establishments on our high streets. Communities already struggling with the cost of living become more susceptible to the destructive effects of gambling.”
The letter says: “While we welcome the Government’s manifesto commitment to reduce gambling harm, we urge you to take immediate action by scrapping the outdated Aim to Permit principle within the Gambling Act 2005.”
It adds: “The current legal framework ties the hands of local authorities. Councils are forced to grant gambling licences if minimum criteria are met, regardless of the clear social harm or strong local opposition.”
Posting on X, Ms Butler said: “Thank you to the 280 cross-party signatories backing my campaign and 10 Minute Rule Bill to end the outdated ‘Aim to Permit’ principle. Councils and communities must have the power to say no to more gambling establishments. People before profit!”
In her letter to Sir Keir, Butler wrote: “As the sponsoring MP I have applied for a 10 minute rule bill in my name, this may take time and the government could take the initiative to implement the change.”
The signatories welcomed proposals for cumulative impact assessments but said: “While CIAs are a step in the right direction, they do not go far enough. As long as the Aim to Permit principle remains in law, local authorities will continue to face barriers when seeking to protect their communities.”
They added: “Scrapping Aim to Permit is essential if councils are to take a truly preventative approach.”
The letter states: “Between 117 and 496 deaths by suicide per year are associated with problem gambling or gambling disorder in England,” adding that “20% of the UK population are directly or indirectly harmed by gambling”.
The signatories conclude: “We believe the Government now has a historic opportunity to put people before profit,” adding: “We the undersigned therefore urge you to scrap ‘aim to permit’ and bring the change needed to empower communities.”
In September 2025, the Betting and Gaming Council said in a statement that betting shops were “an integral part of Britain’s high streets”, adding that they support local communities, generate tax revenues and help sustain sport.
The statement said betting shops pay £1bn a year in tax and a further £60m in business rates, and cited research by ESA Retail which found 89% of customers also visit other local businesses. It said independent audits show age-verification compliance rates above 90%, adding that betting shops were “among the very best performers on the high street” at preventing underage sales, while revealing that more than 2,400 shops have closed since 2019, leaving 5,870 in operation.
, Councillor Ben Wesson (Pitshanger ward), councillor Dee Martin (Northolt West End ward) and Bassam Mahfouz, the London Assembly member for Ealing and Hillingdon.){kind=link}