Boris Johnson the Mayor of London is calling for a change in legislation to control the spread of betting shops however the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) has quickly hit back this week, rejecting the claims and suggesting the Mayor of London should be supportive of the betting industry.

The Mayor has suggested that the large number of betting shops on high streets can “negatively impact on the vitality and viability of town centres and the quality of life of those living nearby”. He claims the numbers can “negatively impact on the vitality and viability of town centres and the quality of life of those living nearby”. He refers to a number of betting shops in Hackney, including eight in Mare Street alone, and seven bookmakers in one street in Deptford.

Mr Johnson is proposing that operators be required to gain approval for each site and he has written to the communities’ secretary, Eric Pickles, asking that the national planning laws be reviewed.

The Mayor said: “I recognise that betting shops have an important role to play in our culture and provide entertainment to many people. But there is a balance to be struck between having betting shops as a part of the high street retail mix and the negative impact they can have on shoppers and visitors when they start to dominate.

“Requiring operators to obtain planning permission seems a sensible way to achieve the checks and balances needed to ensure our towns remain attractive places to visit, shop and spend time in.”