Opposing a new Adult Gaming Centre in Walthamstow Town Centre
We love our town centre in Walthamstow. It’s the beating heart of our community and a place where neighbours work, shop, and live alongside one another.
That’s why we are deeply concerned about the proposal for an adult gaming centre, operated by Merkur Slots UK Limited, to open here. For the centre to operate, it must obtain a gambling premises licence from Waltham Forest Council, and we will be submitting our objection to the Licensing Committee.
If you support our objection, please add your name and address using the form below. The list of signatories will be presented to the committee to demonstrate the strength of community opposition to the proposed adult gaming centre.
Dear Members of the Licensing Committee,
As local Labour Councillors and candidates, we are writing to formally object lodge a formal objection to the application submitted by Merkur Slots UK Limited for an Adult Gaming Centre licence at 220 Hoe Street, Walthamstow E17. Our objection is based on serious concerns about the operator’s track record, their failure to protect vulnerable individuals, and the incompatibility of this proposed premises with the Waltham Forest Statement of Licensing Policy objectives, specifically:
Preventing Crime
Fair and Open Gaming
Protection of Vulnerable People
Evidence of Harmful and Irresponsible Practices by Merkur Slots
The Guardian has found that Merkur pays staff bonuses directly linked to how much money gamblers lose, with managers able to earn up to 80% of their annual salary based on net revenues (i.e., player losses). We find this appalling and feel this scheme creates an incentive for staff not to intervene when vulnerable people are experiencing harm.
This business model fundamentally conflicts with our values and the Council’s licensing objective of preventing harm to residents, as it encourages practices that knowingly place vulnerable residents at greater risk.
Fines issued to Merkur Slots by Gambling Commission
Merkur Slots UK Limited was recently fined £94,450 by the Gambling Commission, with their investigation finding that Merkur:
Failed to interact with a customer gambling for more than five hours, despite clear signs of harm.
Breached mandatory Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, including obligations to identify and engage with at‑risk customers.
The Gambling Commission concluded that Merkur failed “to follow rules aimed at keeping consumers safe from harm,” highlighting inadequate staff training and safeguarding procedures. These failures directly undermine the licensing objectives on public safety and protection from harm.
Risks to Walthamstow Town Centre and Alignment with Local Policy
The Waltham Forest Licensing Policy emphasises the Council’s duty to promote safer communities while mitigating crime, anti-social behaviour, and public harm, particularly in deprived or high‑footfall areas. As Labour councillors and candidates, we feel we must speak up when profit is prioritised above the wellbeing of our residents and communities.
Allowing an Adult Gaming Centre run by an operator with a documented history of
Incentivising harmful gambling behaviours, and
Failing to implement basic safeguarding procedures,
would run counter to our Council’s objective of creating safer and stronger communities – something we wholeheartedly support. The proposed location - within a busy town centre with significant numbers of young people, families, and vulnerable residents - intensifies this risk.
Conclusion
Given the weight of evidence demonstrating:
unethical staff incentive schemes,
regulatory breaches involving failure to protect vulnerable customers, and
the incompatibility of Merkur’s operational model with Waltham Forest’s licensing objectives,
We request that the Committee reject this application.
Approving the licence would pose a clear risk to public welfare and expose vulnerable residents to preventable harm. Waltham Forest deserves operators who demonstrate a responsible and compliant approach to gambling management -standards which Merkur Slots has demonstrably failed to meet. Waltham Forest Labour councillors will stand up for residents when businesses want to prioritise profit over the wellbeing of our residents and communities.
Signed,
Cllr Andrew Dixon - Hoe Street Labour councillor
Cllr Ahsan Khan - Hoe Street Labour councillor
Cllr Miriam Mirwitch - Hoe Street Labour councillor
Jeremy Cohen - High Street Labour candidate
Osaro Otobo - High Street Labour candidate
Zia Ur-Rehman - High Street Labour candidate