Gambling - Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (Betting Shops) Bill

Further to the Government’s earlier announcement on plans to curb the proliferation of High Street betting shops, a Private Member’s Bill, Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (Betting Shops) Bill, was introduced on Monday.

The Bill introduces a requirement on the Secretary of State to create a new planning use class for betting shops with fixed odds betting terminals, which would require the granting of planning permission; to provide that local planning authorities assess demand for fixed odds betting terminal betting shops when considering applications for premises in that planning use class and place a cap on the number of such shops for which planning permission may be granted in any area; and for connected purposes.

As this Bill is a Private Member’s Bill it is unlikely that this will be printed until close to the second reading debate. The Bill is expected to have its second reading debate on 27 February 2015.

We shall of course keep you posted as and when any developments occur.