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

18 March 2026
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Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire


The dad of a male who took his own life after becoming addicted to betting has called the refusal 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 hr a day at its Hall Place place last week.


Dismissing the appeal, the Planning Inspectorate stated it discovered "harm in respect of the effect on the living conditions of neighbouring homeowners" and there was "limited benefits of the proposition".


Charles Ritchie, who set up national charity Gambling with Lives with his spouse Liz after their son Jack's death in 2017, welcomed the choice and said the "tide is turning versus" big casino firms.


In July 2022, Merkur Slots was approved permission 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 restrictions and defended the rights to remain open all hours.


Planners declined the bid on March 12, saying a 24-hour operation would adversely affect neighbouring locals with regard to "noise and disruption".


Ritchie stated it was "excellent news for Spalding" and he was delighted opinions by locals had been acted upon.


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


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


Merkur Slots has actually been approached for comment.


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


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


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


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


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