In the current atmosphere of high street misery driven by populist anti-gambling councillors, it’s a shock to the system to hear one elected councillor brave enough to stand up to his colleagues, and the government. Gordon Stewart from Northumberland County Council delivered a balanced, realistic and clear-eyed view that gambling operations bring social exchange and entertainment to our endangered high streets…and keeps players away from the illegal online operators.
A Northumberland councillor has warned that further tax increases on high street gaming businesses risk accelerating shop closures, damaging communities and pushing customers towards unregulated operators.
Gordon Stewart, Northumberland County Council’s cabinet member for public safety, criticised reported Treasury proposals to increase taxes on high street gaming machines, arguing that the social value of gambling venues was being overlooked.
“For many residents, this gives them enjoyment and social interaction, without any harm,” he commented. “I have seen a negative change in the lives of several residents who would have previously visited a local friendly betting shop to meet their friends and interact with the trained staff who were themselves part of the community”.
Stewart believes that, with the loss of these valuable community spaces, “we are in danger of losing that human interaction” and pushing those who enjoy a flutter towards “illegal and unregulated gambling often run by organised criminal gangs”.
His recognition of the value of local businesses comes against an increasingly uncertain backdrop for high street gaming, with the Treasury eyeing an increase to Machine Games Duty and the new Prime Minister backing a multi-council campaign to scrap ‘aim to permit’ – a looming double blow that could see Stewart’s fears for local businesses, jobs and communities become reality.
There’s a time and place for play
Gordon Stewart said……. “I have seen a negative change in the lives of several residents who would have previously visited a local friendly betting shop to meet their friends and interact with the trained staff who were themselves part of the community……
Originally published on Coinslot on October 19, 2026. Republished with permission.