British trade association Bacta has warned it will consider judicial review if UK authorities begin revoking Adult Gaming Centre licences. The group told NEXT.io it would challenge any move to strip existing slot arcade operators of their permits as part of planned gambling licensing reforms.
Campaigner James Noyes has called for local councils to gain powers to review and revoke live gaming licences when the government scraps the 'aim to permit' principle. Current law allows revocation only for specific breaches, not to reduce the number of venues. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said this week the government will remove 'aim to permit' from the Gambling Act, affecting betting shops, gaming arcades and bingo halls. A consultation on the new licensing model will follow.
Noyes wrote on X that lifting barriers for new premises is insufficient — the number of existing arcades must fall or the problem persists. Social Market Foundation research shows AGCs cluster in the most deprived areas and correlate with antisocial behaviour.
Bacta president Joseph Cullis, whose family has run AGCs since the 1960s, said judicial reviews would be inevitable. 'You cannot take away businesses from people who have been in the industry for decades. I have staff who have worked for more than 30 years,' he told the outlet.
Lawyer Leigh Schelvis of Schofield Sweeney said revoking licences purely on the basis of venue numbers would be unfair. 'Operators obtained licences lawfully and comply with requirements. Revoking them solely for being part of the gambling industry carries a risk that authorities will face formal legal challenge.'
If the changes go ahead, councils will be able to impose tight restrictions on retail gambling, particularly in Labour- or Green-controlled areas.
