UK Gambling Minister Foxcroft Announces Imminent Consultation on Revoking ‘Aim to Permit’ Objective

UK Gambling Minister Vicky Foxcroft has said a consultation on revoking the “aim to permit” licensing objective will be starting very shortly. The statement came during a panel discussion last week, her first substantial public appearance on gambling policy since taking over the DCMS brief in early August 2026.

The review could ultimately supersede gambling impact assessments, or GIAs, which became law under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act at the end of April. The GIAs give local authorities greater discretion to reject gambling licenses where approval would conflict with other licensing objectives, including in areas with a high concentration of gambling premises.

Stakeholder Views on Licensing Assessments and Harm Prevention

Dawn Butler MP argued that the assessments were too weak and said the government should instead prioritize reform of “aim to permit.” British Amusement Catering Trades Association President Joseph Cullis took a different view, saying the assessments had offered a middle ground between retaining the current system and removing the licensing objective. “We weren’t against that. We welcomed that,” Cullis said.

Foxcroft also addressed bingo regulation. She said the government plans to update licensing requirements to ensure “that it is bingo that is taking place.” Alex Ballinger MP raised concerns that some bingo halls were increasingly operating in a way similar to adult gaming centers, amid debate over machine games duty ahead of the autumn budget.

Foxcroft said she wanted to “make sure we follow the evidence” as campaigners pressed for stronger action on gambling harm and advertising. Will Prochaska, director of the Coalition to End Gambling Advertising, pointed to the Lords Liaison Committee’s recommendation for a comprehensive UK gambling advertising ban. He stated: “I think what you’ll come to find, Minister, is that the idea that there’s not enough evidence is an industry construct. Britain has more evidence about the causation of gambling harms and the links to the product types than any other jurisdiction globally and yet has had some of the weakest regulation.”

The panel was organized by CEGA and think tank More in Common. The government’s separate consultation on banning sponsorship of UK sports clubs by unlicensed gambling operators closed on September 9.

The Evidence Base and Pending Consultation

The panel exposed clear tensions between calls for deeper reform and support for the new GIAs as a balanced measure. Prochaska’s emphasis on Britain’s extensive existing evidence base directly challenges any claim that more data is required before tighter rules on advertising and harm can advance.

With the consultation now imminent, the government must reconcile these positions without introducing fresh uncertainty for licensing decisions at the local level. The results will shape how evidence on harm translates into operational policy for the sector.

Reporting: Yogonet International

Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.