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

18 March 2026
ShareSave


Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire


The father of a male who took his own life after ending up being addicted to gaming has actually called the rejection of a 24-hour betting store in Spalding a "little success that will ripple across other communities".


Merkur Slots lost its planning attract open 24 hours a day at its Hall Place place recently.


Dismissing the operator's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate stated it found "harm in regard of the result on the living conditions of neighbouring homeowners" and there was "restricted advantages of the proposal".


Charles Ritchie, who set up national charity Gambling with Lives with his after their child Jack's death in 2017, invited the choice and stated the "tide is turning versus" huge gambling establishment firms.


In July 2022, Merkur Slots was approved consent to operate from 07:00 to midnight Mondays to Saturdays and 10:00 to midnight on Sundays.


But the business wished to eliminate those limitations and fought for the rights to remain open all hours.


Planners turned down the quote on March 12, saying a 24-hour operation would adversely affect neighbouring locals with regard to "sound and disturbance".


Ritchie stated it was "great news for Spalding" and he was happy viewpoints by locals had actually been acted upon.


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


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


Merkur Slots has been approached for remark.


The Ritchie family, from Sheffield, have actually been campaigning for gambling market reform because the Hull University graduate eliminated himself while fighting a gambling addiction.


In 2022, the coroner ruled the 24-year-old teacher had been stopped working by "woefully inadequate" warnings and treatments.


His parents have actually long argued that gambling-related suicide is directly linked to addicting betting products and the market's "predatory" marketing practices.


If you have been affected by any of the concerns raised in this story, information and support 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