UK’s Local Government Association demands ‘tough licensing’

iGaming Business – The UK’s Local Government Association (LGA) has called for “tough licensing powers” to be handed to local councils to protect their business and communities from the influx of betting shops. The organisation, which represents more than 370 English and Welsh councils, said that the government should reform the current licensing system to include toughening up powers to tackle the issue of betting shop clustering. The LGA said that changes made to development planning rules last year now make it easier for gambling companies to convert existing buildings into betting shops without the need for planning permission. Councils…