UK to consult on scrapping ‘aim to permit’ gambling rule

The move could sideline new local-authority powers that only became law in April.

The hit

UK gambling minister Vicky Foxcroft says a consultation on revoking the “aim to permit” licensing objective will be “starting very shortly”, according to Yogonet. The review could supersede gambling impact assessments that only became law at the end of April. Foxcroft gave no firm timetable.

Why it matters

For operators & local authorities, this could reopen the licensing rulebook. BACTA President Joseph Cullis said the assessments had offered a middle ground between retaining the current system & removing the licensing objective, adding “We weren’t against that. We welcomed that.” Dawn Butler MP argued the assessments were too weak. If ministers now move to axe the rule anyway, councils’ new power to reject licences in areas with a high concentration of gambling premises could be affected.

The record

Rule under review	“Aim to permit” licensing objective (UK government)
Gambling impact assessments became law	Under the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Act
Foxcroft’s appointment to the gambling brief	Early August 2026 (Yogonet)
Separate sponsorship-ban consultation	Closed 9 September, results undisclosed

What happens next

Watch for the consultation’s launch date & whether it proposes replacing or keeping gambling impact assessments.

Sources: UK Gambling Minister Foxcroft says UK ‘Aim to Permit’ gambling review is imminent

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