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

18 March 2026
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Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire


The dad of a man who took his own life after becoming addicted to gambling has actually called the rejection of a 24-hour wagering shop in Spalding a "small success that will ripple across other communities".


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


Dismissing the operator's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate said it found "damage in respect of the effect on the living conditions of neighbouring citizens" and there was "restricted advantages of the proposal".


Charles Ritchie, who set up nationwide charity Gambling with Lives with his partner Liz after their child Jack's death in 2017, invited the decision and said the "tide is turning versus" huge casino companies.


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


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


Planners turned down the bid on March 12, stating a 24-hour operation would negatively affect neighbouring citizens with regard to "noise and disruption".


Ritchie said it was "excellent news for Spalding" and he was delighted viewpoints by locals had actually been acted on.


"Up up until recently, there's been a type of feeling of misery. You can't do anything.


"So I believe this is a little victory, but it is a message and it is something that does have ripples throughout other communities."


Merkur Slots has been approached for comment.


The Ritchie family, from Sheffield, have been campaigning for betting industry reform since the Hull University graduate killed himself while fighting a gaming 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 straight linked to addictive betting products and the market's "predatory" marketing practices.


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


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