Casino's 24/7 Opening Rejection A 'Little 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 called the rejection of a 24-hour betting store in Spalding a "little triumph that will ripple throughout other neighborhoods".


Merkur Slots lost its preparation interest open 24 hr a day at its Hall Place place recently.


the operator's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate said it discovered "harm in respect of the result on the living conditions of neighbouring homeowners" and there was "restricted advantages of the proposition".


Charles Ritchie, who set up national charity Gambling with Lives with his wife Liz after their son Jack's death in 2017, welcomed the decision and said the "tide is turning against" big gambling establishment companies.


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


But the business wished to eliminate those restrictions and battled for the rights to remain open all hours.


Planners rejected the bid on March 12, stating a 24-hour operation would negatively affect neighbouring homeowners with regard to "noise and disruption".


Ritchie said it was "excellent news for Spalding" and he was delighted opinions by residents had been acted on.


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


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


Merkur Slots has actually been approached for remark.


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


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


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


If you have been affected by any of the problems raised in this story, information and assistance can be found at the BBC's Action Line.


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