Brent Council Leader Denounces 'Cynical' Gambling Shop Applications as Operators Rush to Beat Law Change
The leader of Brent Council has strongly criticized three new licensing applications for gambling premises across the borough, describing them as "cynical in the extreme." This condemnation comes as operators appear to be rushing to submit applications before anticipated changes in national legislation that would grant local authorities greater powers to refuse such establishments.
Applications Filed in Willesden Green, Wembley, and Kilburn
In recent weeks, applications for new licenses or variations of existing licenses have been submitted for locations in Willesden Green, Wembley, and Kilburn. These submissions coincide with the progress of new laws through Parliament that would enhance council influence over gambling premises licensing decisions. The legislation recently passed its third reading in the House of Lords and is now advancing toward final consideration and Royal Assent.
Council Leader Cllr Muhammed Butt expressed firm opposition to these applications, stating they are "not wanted" by the community. He emphasized that residents have made it clear that the proliferation of gambling establishments has reached an unacceptable level.
Brent's High Concentration of Gambling Premises
Brent currently hosts more than 80 licensed gambling premises, giving it the second-highest concentration of such establishments in London. The specific applications involve sites at 1 Walm Lane in Willesden Green, 574 High Road in Wembley, and 131-135 Kilburn High Road.
Each proposed location already has between 14 and 15 other gambling premises within a two-mile radius, according to operators' risk assessment documents. All three applications are represented by the same agent, who did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.
Detailed Site-Specific Background
The Willesden Green application concerns a former Lloyds bank building that was previously approved for conversion to a bingo hall in February 2025. The operator subsequently submitted another planning application to transform it into an Adult Gaming Centre (AGC), which received approval in September 2025. The current application seeks the license to operate the premises as an AGC.
At the Wembley site, initial planning permission to convert a former William Hill betting shop into an AGC was refused but later overturned by the planning inspectorate on appeal. The license has since expired, prompting the operator to reapply while also seeking to overturn conditions that restricted opening hours to between 8am and 10pm daily.
The Kilburn application involves a bingo hall license at another former bank location, following the council's previous refusal of the operator's application for an AGC license at the same site.
Imminent Legislative Changes
The proposed law changes would enable local councils to designate specific areas where approving new gambling premises could be considered harmful. In these designated zones, applicants would bear the responsibility of demonstrating compliance with licensing objectives before approval could be granted.
Importantly, the legislation would not grant councils the authority to outright ban gambling venues from certain areas. Applicants would retain the right to challenge refusals, which could be overturned if they successfully prove alignment with licensing objectives. The fundamental "aim to permit" framework would remain, but the amendment would eliminate the presumption of approval in designated areas of concern.
Community Impact and Council Campaign
Cllr Butt articulated the council's position clearly, stating: "These applications are not wanted: not in Wembley, not in Willesden and not in Kilburn. Every resident I speak to is crystal clear: enough is enough of these gambling dens. These casinos add nothing to our high streets, and they strip out the pride we are all working so hard to put back in."
He further emphasized the social consequences, noting that gambling establishments "do not build community; nor do they create hope, but sadly, they do profit from addiction and leave families picking up the pieces." The council leader questioned why Brent should accept premises that operators themselves would likely not want near their own families or communities.
Brent Council has been at the forefront of a campaign to eliminate the existing 'Aim to Permit' principle, which generally requires approval of gaming halls or bookmakers. Cllr Butt characterized the timing of the three applications as particularly cynical, coming just as the government is introducing new powers for councils following the campaign Brent has helped lead.
Public Sentiment and Research Findings
Research published in January by polling company More In Common revealed that a significant majority of people would prefer to see an empty shop front rather than a gambling establishment. This finding underscores the broader public concern about the proliferation of betting shops in local communities.
Cllr Butt concluded with a firm message: "It is cynical in the extreme that, just as the government is bringing forward new powers for councils after the campaign Brent Council has helped lead, three applications land under the old, weaker rules. They are trying to bypass a broken system before councils finally receive the stronger powers to say no. Our message is simple: not here, not again, not in Brent."
