Casino's 24/7 Opening Rejection A 'Small Victory'

18 March 2026
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Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire


The father of a guy who took his own life after ending up being addicted to gambling has actually called the rejection of a 24-hour betting shop in Spalding a "small victory that will ripple throughout other neighborhoods".


Merkur Slots lost its planning attract open 24 hours a day at its Hall Place place recently.


Dismissing the operator's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate stated it discovered "damage in respect of the impact on the living conditions of neighbouring homeowners" and there was "minimal advantages of the proposal".


Charles Ritchie, who charity Gambling with Lives with his wife Liz after their son Jack's death in 2017, welcomed the choice and said the "tide is turning versus" big casino firms.


In July 2022, Merkur Slots was granted authorization to operate from 07:00 to midnight Mondays to Saturdays and 10:00 to midnight on Sundays.


But the business desired to get rid of those restrictions and fought for the rights to remain open all hours.


Planners turned down the bid on March 12, saying a 24-hour operation would adversely affect neighbouring locals with regard to "noise and disturbance".


Ritchie stated it was "excellent news for Spalding" and he was delighted opinions by locals had been acted upon.


"Up up until just recently, there's been a type of sensation of despair. You can't do anything.


"So I think this is a small success, however it is a message and it is something that does have ripples across other communities."


Merkur Slots has actually been approached for remark.


The Ritchie family, from Sheffield, have actually been campaigning for betting industry reform considering that the Hull University graduate killed himself while fighting a betting dependency.


In 2022, the coroner ruled the 24-year-old teacher had been failed by "woefully insufficient" warnings and treatments.


His moms and dads have actually long argued that gambling-related suicide is straight linked to addictive wagering products and the industry's "predatory" marketing practices.


If you have actually been impacted by any of the concerns raised in this story, details and assistance can be discovered at the BBC's Action Line.


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