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 refusal of a 24-hour wagering shop in Spalding a "small victory that will ripple throughout other communities".


Merkur Slots lost its preparation attract open 24 hr a day at its Hall Place venue last week.


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


Charles Ritchie, who established nationwide charity Gambling with Lives with his other half Liz after their son Jack's death in 2017, invited the choice and stated the "tide is turning against" big gambling establishment firms.


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


But the business wanted to remove those limitations and defended the rights to remain open all hours.


Planners turned down the bid on March 12, saying a 24-hour operation would adversely impact neighbouring homeowners with regard to "sound and disruption".


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


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


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


Merkur Slots has been approached for remark.


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


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


His parents have long argued that gambling-related suicide is straight linked to addictive betting products and the industry's "predatory" marketing practices.


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


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