Plans For 24-Hour Gambling Centre In Gloucester Rejected: “This Isn’t Las Vegas”
24-Hour Gambling Centre Plan Rejected in Gloucester
Plans to allow 24-hour opening of the BeLucky adult gaming centre on Westgate Street have been rejected by Gloucester City Council.
BDG Game, the operator, had applied to remove existing opening hour restrictions — currently:
-
Mon–Thurs: 9am–12am
-
Fri–Sat: 9am–1am
-
Sun & bank holidays: 9am–10pm
While noise advisors and planning officers recommended approval, councillors voted against the proposal due to concerns over gambling-related harm, particularly mental health impacts.
-
Councillor Andrew Lewis said approval would be “pandering to addiction.”
-
Councillor Stephanie Chambers referenced three suicide cases among young men in Gloucester linked to gambling, as raised by former MP Richard Graham.
-
Councillor Roseanna Marshall raised concerns that people from the nearby McDonald’s might loiter and shift to the gambling venue after hours.
Despite professional advice supporting the change, councillors prioritized public health and community wellbeing, leading to the rejection of the 24-hour operation plan.