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 man who took his own life after ending up being addicted to betting has called the rejection of a 24-hour wagering shop in Spalding a "little victory that will ripple throughout other neighborhoods".


Merkur Slots lost its planning appeal to open 24 hours a day at its Hall Place location last week.


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


Charles Ritchie, who set up nationwide charity Gambling with Lives with his partner Liz after their death in 2017, welcomed the decision and stated the "tide is turning versus" big casino companies.


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


But the company wanted to get rid of those constraints and defended the rights to stay open all hours.


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


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


"Up till recently, there's been a type of feeling of despair. You can't do anything.


"So I believe this is a little 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 household, from Sheffield, have actually been campaigning for gambling market reform since the Hull University graduate killed himself while fighting a gambling dependency.


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


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


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


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