Do we really need so many gambling premises in the city?
3 Feb 2022
"A report to Newcastle City Council indicates that the number betting premises in Newcastle has dropped from 55 in 2019 to 38 in 22, nonetheless if we look at all the gambling premises the total figure is just over 50 sites", says Councillor Ali Avaei, who speaks for the Liberal Democrats on sports and culture issues. "That's almost as many as community pharmacies that we have in the city. Do we really need so many gambling premises in the city , of which many are in most deprived areas of Newcastle? Is there anything we can do as a council to put an end to predatory behaviour of gambling companies, that on many occasions prey on the poorest in the society?" he has asked the responsible cabinet member