Croydon Council Approves 24/7 Gaming Centre Despite Opposition

Croydon Council has approved a 24-hour operating license for an adult gaming center (AGC) in Crystal Palace, despite significant opposition from local residents and political figures across multiple boroughs. The decision allows the Admiral AGC to operate around the clock, expanding from its previous 8 AM to midnight schedule.

What Happened

Croydon Council granted a license extension for an adult gaming center operated by Admiral, a slot machine firm, in the Crystal Palace Triangle shopping area. This approval permits the Admiral AGC at 6 Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, to operate 24 hours a day, a significant increase from its previous 8 AM to midnight schedule, as reported by My London. The extended hours will include staffing by at least two individuals between 8 PM and 8 AM.

The decision was met with considerable opposition, including petitions and objections from local Members of Parliament and councillors from Croydon, Bromley, and Southwark, according to My London. Opponents argued that the extension could negatively impact vulnerable individuals and potentially increase anti-social behavior, a concern voiced by Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood Lib Dem Councillor Claire Bonham during the licensing meeting on September 10, as detailed by Open Council Network. Luxury Leisure, the operator, and Croydon Council maintained that the extension would not contravene licensing objectives.

Key Details

• Croydon Council approved a 24-hour operating license for Admiral’s Adult Gaming Centre at 6 Westow Hill, Upper Norwood (My London).
• The facility is located within Croydon Council’s jurisdiction but is near the borders of Bromley, Lambeth, and Southwark (My London).
• Opposition to the application included petitions with thousands of signatures and objections from several local Labour MPs, including Steve Reed and Liam Conlon (My London).
• Councillors from Croydon, Bromley, and Southwark spoke against the extension, citing concerns about vulnerable residents and potential increases in anti-social behavior (My London, Open Council Network).
• Luxury Leisure’s Risk and Compliance Director, Mark Thompson, stated there was no correlation between the center’s operating hours and increases in crime or anti-social behavior (My London).
• The Gambling Act’s ‘aim to permit’ principle generally mandates granting a gambling license unless it undermines licensing objectives, irrespective of public opposition (My London).

Why It Matters

This decision highlights the tension between regulatory frameworks, such as the Gambling Act’s ‘aim to permit’ principle, and community opposition to extended gambling operations, particularly in areas with vulnerable populations. The approval, despite widespread local and political resistance, underscores the challenges in balancing commercial interests with public welfare concerns. The discussion around this specific license application also precedes impending governmental reforms to the Gambling Act, which aim to grant local authorities more power to reject gambling license applications by removing the ‘aim to permit’ rule and introducing Gambling Impact Assessments, according to My London.

What’s Next

The UK Government has announced plans to revise gambling regulations, including the elimination of the ‘aim to permit’ rule. These proposed changes are intended to empower local authorities with greater discretion in opposing new betting shops and 24-hour gaming centers. Additionally, new Adult Gaming Centres will reportedly require planning permission under proposals expected to take effect early next year (My London). Oscar Harman, a Crystal Palace resident and former special adviser, stated that these changes are essential for communities to have a greater say in local developments, as reported by My London.

Originally reported by My London·Published 23 Sep 2026, 07:00