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

18 March 2026
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Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire


The daddy of a guy who took his own life after becoming addicted to gaming has actually called the rejection of a 24-hour betting store in a "small triumph that will ripple across other neighborhoods".


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


Dismissing the operator's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate said it found "harm in regard of the effect on the living conditions of neighbouring locals" and there was "minimal benefits of the proposal".


Charles Ritchie, who established national charity Gambling with Lives with his wife Liz after their child Jack's death in 2017, welcomed the choice and said the "tide is turning versus" huge casino firms.


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


But the business wished to get rid of those constraints and battled for the rights to remain open all hours.


Planners declined the bid on March 12, stating a 24-hour operation would adversely impact neighbouring homeowners with regard to "sound and disturbance".


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


"Up till recently, there's been a sort of feeling of anguish. 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 throughout other neighborhoods."


Merkur Slots has been approached for remark.


The Ritchie household, from Sheffield, have been campaigning for betting market reform since the Hull University graduate killed himself while fighting a gambling addiction.


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


His moms and dads have actually long argued that gambling-related suicide is directly connected to addicting betting items and the industry's "predatory" marketing practices.


If you have actually been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, info and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line.


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