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

18 March 2026
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Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire


The father of a male who took his own life after ending up being addicted to gambling has called the rejection of a 24-hour wagering store in Spalding a "little triumph that will ripple throughout other neighborhoods".


Merkur Slots lost its planning interest open 24 hr a day at its Hall Place location recently.


Dismissing the operator's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate stated it found "harm in respect of the result on the living conditions of neighbouring homeowners" and there was "minimal benefits of the proposition".


Charles Ritchie, who established national charity Gambling with Lives with his partner Liz after their child Jack's death in 2017, welcomed the decision and said the "tide is turning versus" huge gambling establishment companies.


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


But the to eliminate those limitations and defended the rights to stay open all hours.


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


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


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


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


Merkur Slots has been approached for remark.


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


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


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


If you have been impacted by any of the concerns raised in this story, details and support can be discovered at the BBC's Action Line.


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