Hundreds of councillors have backed calls to scrap an ‘outdated’ rule that limits councils’ ability to prevent betting shops from opening on local high streets.

In a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Labour MP Dawn Butler urges the Government to take ‘immediate action’ to remove the Aim to Permit principle from the Gambling Act 2005.

The principle places a legal duty on licensing authorities, including local councils, to favour the approval of new gambling premises unless there are clear grounds to refuse them. Critics argue this significantly restricts councils’ ability to respond to local concerns about the social impact of gambling.

The letter, signed by 280 politicians and campaigners from across the political spectrum, says the rule ‘ties the hands’ of local authorities and forces them to grant licences ‘regardless of clear social harm or strong local opposition’.

It adds: ‘This call for change is not about banning the occasional bet. It is about protecting our high streets, supporting vulnerable residents and ensuring that councils have the tools to act in the interests of their communities.’

Writing on X, Butler said she was ‘honoured’ to have the backing of mayors, councillors, MPs and campaigners. ‘Gambling harm tears apart our communities, yet these venues continue to proliferate on some high streets,’ she said.

Responding to the letter, a Government spokesperson said ministers had already committed to giving councils ‘unprecedented new powers’ to restrict gambling outlets.

They added that the Government will ‘introduce new assessments to go further so that councils have greater say over the location and number of gambling outlets, particularly in areas vulnerable to harmful gambling.’