An adult gaming centre has been given the go-ahead in Edgware, an area already home to multiple betting shops, despite warnings from public health officials that it is a higher-risk form of gambling.
Barnet Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee granted the licence for Palace Amusements, at 226 Station Road, on 3 November 2026. The decision followed a hearing where the committee considered representations from the applicant, East Kent Leasing Limited, and from objectors.
Public health officials had objected to the application, stating that an adult gaming centre represents a higher-risk form of gambling due to its reliance on electronic gaming machines and extended opening hours. Planning permission restricts the premises to opening between 07:00 and 02:00 Monday to Saturday, and between 08:00 and 02:00 on Sundays and Bank and Public Holidays. The sub-committee encouraged the applicant to operate within these hours. The Sub-committee encouraged the applicant to operate within these hours.
Officials said Edgware was ‘characterised by mixed but identifiable vulnerabilities’. For the local area, known as Barnet 018A, they cited deprivation rankings of decile 3 for crime, decile 2 for living environment, decile 1 for barriers to housing and services, decile 9 for health and disability, and decile 6 for education and skills. They said the high ranking for barriers to housing and services showed housing-related constraints were a significant factor, supporting heightened awareness of economic vulnerability.
The indices are from the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 and split every neighbourhood in England into 10 equal groups, from decile 1 for the most deprived 10% to decile 10 for the least deprived.
A local resident, Christie Bodourian, also objected, citing concerns about the over-concentration of betting premises in Edgware, the impact on the area's regeneration, and the potential negative effect on families and children. There are multiple betting shops in Edgware, including William Hill, Little Vegas, Betfred, Paddy Power, and Coral on Station Road and High Street. Additional betting shops from William Hill, Coral, Paddy Power, MERKUR Slots, and Silver Time are located further within Edgware. The area also contains public houses and a casino.
Ms Bodourian suggested alternative uses for the premises, such as a café, community space, family-oriented retail, health and wellbeing services, or independent leisure businesses, arguing these would better serve the community and support the regeneration vision for Edgware.
However, the Licensing Sub-Committee concluded that the application, with additional conditions agreed with the police, was consistent with the Gambling Act 2005. These conditions include a 'Think 25' proof of age scheme, CCTV installation to Home Office standards, and an incident log.
The applicant's solicitor, and a second company representative, Jeremy Godden, presented information including a local area risk assessment and crime analysis report. They highlighted measures proposed to address risks in accordance with the law.
The committee noted that while the resident's concerns about the concentration of gambling premises and regeneration were understood, these were not matters that could be properly considered under the Gambling Act 2005. The Gambling Commission's guidance states that issues of demand and competition are not relevant to the determination of such applications.
The licence was granted with mandatory conditions and additional conditions agreed with the police. These include a notice at entrances stating no one under 18 will be admitted, no direct access between the adult gaming centre and other licensed premises, and a prohibition on alcohol consumption within the centre.
