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

18 March 2026
ShareSave


Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire


The father of a man who took his own life after becoming addicted to gambling has actually called the refusal of a 24-hour betting shop in Spalding a "small success that will ripple across other communities".


Merkur Slots lost its planning attract open 24 hours a day at its Hall Place location last week.


Dismissing the operator's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate stated it found "damage in regard of the impact on the living conditions of neighbouring homeowners" and there was "limited benefits of the proposition".


Charles Ritchie, who established national charity Gambling with Lives with his other half Liz after their son Jack's death in 2017, invited the choice and stated the "tide is turning against" huge 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 eliminate those limitations and the rights to stay open all hours.


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


Ritchie said it was "great news for Spalding" and he was delighted opinions by locals had actually been acted upon.


"Up till just recently, there's been a sort of sensation of despair. You can't do anything.


"So I think this is a little victory, however it is a message and it is something that does have ripples throughout other communities."


Merkur Slots has been approached for remark.


The Ritchie household, from Sheffield, have actually been campaigning for betting industry reform given that the Hull University graduate eliminated himself while battling a betting addiction.


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


His moms and dads have long argued that gambling-related suicide is straight connected to addictive betting 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.


Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, view the current episode of Look North.


Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android gadgets