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

18 March 2026
ShareSave


Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire


The dad of a male who took his own life after becoming addicted to gaming has called the rejection of a 24-hour wagering shop in Spalding a "little success that will ripple across other neighborhoods".


Merkur Slots lost its preparation appeal to open 24 hr a day at its Hall Place venue last week.


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


Charles Ritchie, who established nationwide 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 companies.


In July 2022, Merkur Slots was given consent 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 declined the quote on March 12, stating a 24-hour operation would adversely impact neighbouring locals with regard to "noise and disturbance".


Ritchie said it was "good news for Spalding" and he was happy viewpoints by locals had been acted on.


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


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


Merkur Slots has been approached for remark.


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


In 2022, the coroner ruled the 24-year-old teacher had actually been failed by "woefully insufficient" cautions 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 issues raised in this story, details and assistance can be found at the BBC's Action Line.


Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, enjoy the latest episode of Look North.


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