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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jun/17/newham-betting-shop-paddy-power
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| Newham council told to accept betting shop it rejected | Newham council told to accept betting shop it rejected |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A council has lost its battle to stop the opening of a new betting shop in its borough. | A council has lost its battle to stop the opening of a new betting shop in its borough. |
| The multinational bookmaker Paddy Power won its appeal at Thames magistrates court against a refusal by Newham council, in east London, to allow it to open a betting shop in the area, one of the country's most deprived. Newham has more than 80 betting shops already – the third highest of any London borough. | The multinational bookmaker Paddy Power won its appeal at Thames magistrates court against a refusal by Newham council, in east London, to allow it to open a betting shop in the area, one of the country's most deprived. Newham has more than 80 betting shops already – the third highest of any London borough. |
| Councillors rejected an operator's licence in February, arguing that the shop would attract crime and antisocial behaviour, and that profits would come from high-speed, high-stakes gambling machines rather than from over the counter bets. | Councillors rejected an operator's licence in February, arguing that the shop would attract crime and antisocial behaviour, and that profits would come from high-speed, high-stakes gambling machines rather than from over the counter bets. |
| However, district judge Paul Goldspring said on Monday that it was not "proved that the granting of the licence would not be reasonably consistent with the objective of preventing crime and disorder. Therefore I disagree with the decision of the [council's] subcommittee; and, in light of the evidence before me, it was wrong." | However, district judge Paul Goldspring said on Monday that it was not "proved that the granting of the licence would not be reasonably consistent with the objective of preventing crime and disorder. Therefore I disagree with the decision of the [council's] subcommittee; and, in light of the evidence before me, it was wrong." |
| Ian Corbett, council executive member for environment, said: "We are obviously deeply disappointed by the judge's decision. We will study the verdict closely to explore whether this is a matter for judicial review. | Ian Corbett, council executive member for environment, said: "We are obviously deeply disappointed by the judge's decision. We will study the verdict closely to explore whether this is a matter for judicial review. |
| "We are clear that the law needs to be changed so that our residents do not have to suffer antisocial behaviour connected to betting shops. We have an industry that currently, in law, is above families and hard-working small businesses. This cannot be right. | "We are clear that the law needs to be changed so that our residents do not have to suffer antisocial behaviour connected to betting shops. We have an industry that currently, in law, is above families and hard-working small businesses. This cannot be right. |
| "If nothing else, this case has exposed a serious problem and woken up the rest of the country to the fact that the current laws will not prevent the march of the high-street bookmakers." | "If nothing else, this case has exposed a serious problem and woken up the rest of the country to the fact that the current laws will not prevent the march of the high-street bookmakers." |
| Critics say the rise in the number of betting shops has been fuelled by the spread of high-speed, high-stakes gambling machines, which allow players to stake up to £100 on a 20-second spin of the wheel. | Critics say the rise in the number of betting shops has been fuelled by the spread of high-speed, high-stakes gambling machines, which allow players to stake up to £100 on a 20-second spin of the wheel. |
| In Newham there are 82 bookies: six for each square mile. Councillors had said this figure was unacceptably high, arguing that the borough would benefit from having two-thirds fewer shops. The local authority now says the government needs to address the issue. | In Newham there are 82 bookies: six for each square mile. Councillors had said this figure was unacceptably high, arguing that the borough would benefit from having two-thirds fewer shops. The local authority now says the government needs to address the issue. |
| Derek Webb, of the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said the problem lay in part with the Gambling Commission, which acts as the industry regulator. | Derek Webb, of the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said the problem lay in part with the Gambling Commission, which acts as the industry regulator. |
| "The Gambling Commission is willing to stop adult gaming centres having betting licences if they aren't doing enough betting business," he said. "But it won't take the same action against betting shops, where betting now accounts for less than 20% of shop turnover. | "The Gambling Commission is willing to stop adult gaming centres having betting licences if they aren't doing enough betting business," he said. "But it won't take the same action against betting shops, where betting now accounts for less than 20% of shop turnover. |
| "The Gambling Commission refused to support Newham council and is failing to uphold the licensing objectives of the 2005 Gambling Act, so is clearly unfit for purpose." | "The Gambling Commission refused to support Newham council and is failing to uphold the licensing objectives of the 2005 Gambling Act, so is clearly unfit for purpose." |
| In a statement, Paddy Power said: "We welcome the fact that the confusion surrounding primary activity has been clarified, with Newham conceding during the proceedings that the 2005 Gambling Act relates only to whether an operator provides facilities for a genuine betting business. The judge also noted that he 'believe[d] the concept to fall outside the remit of [Newham]'. | In a statement, Paddy Power said: "We welcome the fact that the confusion surrounding primary activity has been clarified, with Newham conceding during the proceedings that the 2005 Gambling Act relates only to whether an operator provides facilities for a genuine betting business. The judge also noted that he 'believe[d] the concept to fall outside the remit of [Newham]'. |
| "Paddy Power makes a positive contribution to local communities in which it operates. The UK high street is currently facing unprecedented challenges and our expanding retail presence adds much needed vitality and footfall to localities around the country as well as vital employment." | "Paddy Power makes a positive contribution to local communities in which it operates. The UK high street is currently facing unprecedented challenges and our expanding retail presence adds much needed vitality and footfall to localities around the country as well as vital employment." |