The bank building in Holloway Road set to become an AGC

GAMBLING companies are exploiting planning loopholes to “multiply” in Islington’s most deprived areas it was warned this week – with more slot machines on the way.

Attempts to stop a new “casino” opening in Blackstock Road look to be lost after a planning inspector overturned a council’s refusal to let it open, while Islington must handle an application for another “adult gaming centre” (AGC) in Holloway Road.

Cain’s Amusement Limited wants an around-the-clock licence for its “Jackpot Slots” arcade.

Green Party councillor Sheridan Kates said she was trying to raise public awareness and drum-up opposition, as the proposed location is “literally within view” of two other gambling shops in Seven Sister’s Road.

“This is one of the most deprived parts of Islington,” she said. “When you’re putting these bright shops that are open 24/7 right in people’s faces the whole time, it can become really difficult for people struggling to walk past.

“We shouldn’t be overexposing people to these things.

“Rather than perpetuating cycles of addiction, we should be trying to open shops that bring genuine benefit to the community.”

Jackpots Slots would open in a former Barclay’s Bank and has been able to swerve formal planning processes due to a process which allows shops to switch between different uses under the same application.

The old Fish & Cook shop in Blackstock Road

If the licence application is successful, it would become the seventh gambling premises in the less-than-a-mile stretch of road up to Blackstock Road.

Research by the Social Market Foundation has shown that AGCs, which contain “highly addictive” slot machines, are concentrated in deprived areas – 33 per cent of UK venues are in the top 10 per cent poorest neighbourhoods.

Matt Smith, who works for gambling charity Betknowmore UK, said that AGCs were on the rise and were using licensing conditions to “pack the space out with slot machines:

“Their licensing conditions mean they can have an unlimited amount of slot machines, unlike traditional bookies which have legal limits,” he said.

“This means they’re very suitable for large retail spaces such as a former bank because they can fill them with machines. The machines have very low win rates for players, so when there’s a large amount of machines, they’re getting a lot of money in.

“Typically, they’re situated in areas of high deprivation, and so I think they get a lot of people through the door.”

Cllr Fin Craig

The potential for the seventh place to gamble money in a short stretch comes as the campaign to prevent an AGC opening in a stationery shop in Blackstock Road looks like it will be counted as another win for the operators.

The “Bets Off Blackstock” campaign has enlisted the support of councillors, MPs and residents to oppose a planning inspectorate decision to let an “Admiral Casino” open at the site of Fish and Cook. Despite its name, the premises sells pens, paper, notebooks and art supplies.

Just over the borough border, Hackney Council twice rejected planning permission for the arcade, but in April its stance was bypassed by the company with a successful appeal to the national planning inspectorate.

The process of pushing on until they get what they want, regardless of the wishes of the local authority, has lead to questions over what powers councils really have to shape their own high streets.

MP Jeremy Corbyn

It is difficult for them to block planning and licensing applications for gambling venues due to the 2005 Gambling Act, which encourages them to “aim to permit” the venues.

Cllr Kates said that there was a tension between local authorities, who often feel they have their hands tied in trying to prevent gambling venues from proliferating, and national government.

“I think there’s a blind focus on growth, thinking that anything that will fill that shop should be approved,” she said.

“But I really think we need to be considering people, and how this will affect them in the community.”

Councillor Fin Craig, who has engaged with the Bets Off Blackstock campaign said that although the shop technically fell into Hackney, its opening would “clearly” affect Islington residents.

Cllr Sheridan Kates

She said: “To be honest, we need thriving local businesses that local residents want to see around Blackstock Road. I don’t think we need another gambling-related business.

“I feel sad for the local residents, they’ll get a business there that they don’t want, and that has no real value to the community.”

Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn said it was a “terrible shame” that the Blackstock Road venue was being allowed to open.

He said: “It is beyond appalling that Fish and Cook is being replaced by a 24-hour gambling shop. There is nothing Blackstock Road needs less.

“It is absolutely outrageous and should not be allowed to happen.”

Matt Smith

The Tribune approached both Cain’s Amusement Limited and Luxury Leisure for comment, but received no response.

Documents submitted by Luxury Leisure, as part of their planning application, say: “Luxury Leisure is committed to the safety of our staff and customers and to the ongoing relationships with the local area and our neighbours.

“Our external advertising is not directed at people under the age of 18 years through the selection of media, style of presentation, content or context in which they appear.

“Luxury Leisure AGCs [adult gaming centres] do not attract large crowds of people, our patrons are usually individuals or couples.”