Casino's 24/7 opening rejection a 'small victory'

5 hours ago

Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Charles and Liz Ritchie have been campaigning for gambling industry reform since the death of their son, Jack, in 2017

Gambling with Lives Charles (left) and Liz Ritchie are seated at a wooden table in a bright room with large windows. They both have their arms resting on the table. Charles has receding grey hair and a thin beard, he is wearing a brown short-sleeved shirt. Liz has thinning brown curly hair and is wearing a purple top and silver hooped chain around her neck. Behind them is a lamp on a side table, and a large window from which tall green plants are visible. — Charles and Liz Ritchie have been campaigning for gambling industry reform since the death of their son, Jack, in 2017

The father of a man who took his own life after becoming addicted to gambling has called the refusal of a 24-hour betting shop in Spalding a "small victory that will ripple across other communities".

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

Dismissing the operator's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate said it found "harm in respect of the effect on the living conditions of neighbouring residents" and there was "limited benefits of the proposal".

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 casino firms.

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

But the company wanted to remove those restrictions and fought for the rights to remain open all hours.

Planners rejected the bid on March 12, saying a 24-hour operation would negatively impact neighbouring residents with regard to "noise and disturbance".

Jack Ritchie took his own life in Vietnam in 2017 after years of gambling addiction

Family handout Jack is sitting on a rock in a field and smiling at the camera. He is wearing a black coat, with black trousers and a blue horizontal striped t-shirt. — Jack Ritchie took his own life in Vietnam in 2017 after years of gambling addiction

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

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

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

Merkur Slots has been approached for comment.

The Ritchie family, from Sheffield, have been campaigning for gambling industry reform since the Hull University graduate killed himself while battling a gambling addiction.

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

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

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

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