Barnet Joins North London Coalition to Tackle Gambling Harms

Barnet Council is participating in a new coalition focused on addressing gambling-related harms across north London. The North London Tackling Gambling Harms Coalition includes the local authorities of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, and Islington. The group's stated aim is to engage with communities across the five boroughs to gain a clearer understanding of residents' perceptions and experiences concerning gambling-related harm.

Concerns Over Gambling Premises Density

Read Next in Barnet Press3 min read

Spurs explored buying historic Enfield houses

Emails reveal Tottenham Hotspur held talks with Enfield Council and LVRPA over Whitewebbs House and Myddelton House.

The initiative comes amid concerns about the concentration of gambling venues in certain areas. A report presented to Haringey Council's adults and health scrutiny panel highlighted that the borough has some of the highest densities of gambling premises in the country. Will Maimaris, Haringey's director of public health, told councillors that despite the rise of online gambling, a significant number of physical gambling venues remain, particularly in the most deprived parts of the borough.

Data presented indicated that the east of Haringey has 55 gambling premises, more than eight times the number found in the west of the borough. Maimaris noted a clear clustering of these venues along key high streets in more deprived communities, such as Wood Green High Road and Harringay Green Lanes. He stated that approximately 3.5% of Haringey residents, nearly 7,500 individuals, are estimated to be suffering severe gambling issues, defined as gambling with negative consequences and a potential loss of control.

Funding and Future Plans

Related Borough Coverage3 min read

Sporting Chance campaign raises £955,000 for youth programmes

Funds will support Greenhouse Sports and four other charities, including two in Barnet.

Haringey Council has received £60,000 in funding for the 2025/26 financial year specifically to address gambling harms. This funding originates from a statutory levy imposed on gambling operators. Maimaris and Joe Garvey, a health project officer at Haringey Council, outlined potential future actions, including exploring the appointment of a primary care clinical lead for gambling within the borough.

Further plans involve commissioning public health charity Gambling Harm UK to deliver sessions in the borough's state schools. These educational sessions would be funded through the government's levy on gambling operators and would incur no cost to the council. Maimaris expressed optimism, suggesting that recognition of the harm caused by gambling is increasing.

Legislative Changes

The report also touched upon potential legislative changes aimed at giving local authorities more control over gambling venues. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to abolish the 'aim to permit' rule within existing legislation. This rule, part of the Gambling Act 2005, has been seen as limiting local authorities' ability to prevent the establishment of new gambling premises. It is hoped that proposed changes will grant councils greater influence over the placement and concentration of such venues.