Charlton Cooper at Teen Spirit has called on the Prime Minister to stop tarnishing the AGC sector, explaining how much work those businesses put into their operations to deliver safe entertainment for their customers.
Amusement and arcade operator Teen Spirit has branded Andy Burnham’s stance on AGCs “incredibly disappointing,” highlighting the strict regulation UK gambling businesses undergo to protect customers.
Following the PM’s announcement that he would revoke the Aim to Permit rule and treat gaming centres in the same way as vape shops, Teen Spirit director Charlton Cooper took to social media to express his frustration.
“We operate fully licensed over-18s adult gaming centres,” said Cooper. “We work under strict regulation, have robust safeguarding measures in place and take our responsibilities around safer gambling extremely seriously.”
“Like many legitimate operators across our industry, we invest heavily in compliance, staff training and customer protection, working within the standards set by the Gambling Commission and alongside our industry body, Bacta. So to see legitimate, licensed gambling businesses effectively being put into the same conversation as illegal vape shops feels both misleading and disrespectful.”
Noting that AGCs employ local people, pay taxes and business rates, and operate within “some of the strictest regulations on the high street,” Cooper added ”there is a big difference between an illegal operator and a responsible, licensed business that follows the rules.”
“By all means tackle illegal gambling. By all means tackle businesses that don’t follow the rules. But don’t tarnish an entire regulated industry with the same brush.”
Don’t tarnish legitimate businesses
Charlton Cooper said… “By all means tackle illegal gambling. By all means tackle businesses that don’t follow the rules. But don’t tarnish an entire regulated industry with the same brush…
Originally published on Coinslot on August 24, 2026. Republished with permission.