London, December 01, 2025
The concentration of bingo halls and gambling venues in some of the UK’s most deprived seaside towns is drawing urgent attention from policymakers and experts, highlighting a complex intersection of social inequality and gambling-related harm. The issue commands concerted parliamentary action to address the economic and social challenges faced by places such as Penzance, Hastings, and Great Yarmouth.
Deprivation and Gambling Venue Concentration
Seaside towns including Penzance in Cornwall, Hastings in East Sussex, and Great Yarmouth in Norfolk rank among the most socio-economically deprived areas in England. These towns suffer from entrenched unemployment, reduced economic activity, and limited opportunities for youth, contributing to persistent inequality.[2]
Research led by the University of Bristol reveals a disproportionate concentration of bingo halls and adult gaming centres within these deprived coastal communities. Notably, 34% of family entertainment centres, which encompass bingo venues, are located in the most deprived decile of areas, suggesting a pattern where gambling premises cluster in places already facing economic hardship.[1] These venues are more prevalent in seaside towns compared to urban centres, which tend to have higher numbers of betting shops but fewer amusement arcades and bingo halls.
Social Consequences and Expert Concerns
This clustering has tangible social consequences. Gambling venues often exacerbate existing deprivation by fostering gambling-related harm, which can deepen financial instability and social problems within vulnerable communities. Experts argue that such a pattern is not coincidental but linked to underlying economic and social distress. Professor Sheela Agarwal and other academics emphasize the importance of openly acknowledging coastal inequality to develop effective policy interventions.[2]
The presence of numerous bingo halls and similar establishments in these towns raises concerns about exploitation of vulnerable populations and the role of gambling as both a symptom and contributor to deprivation.
Parliamentary and Policy Responses Required
Addressing this issue demands a comprehensive and coordinated approach from Parliament. Isolated interventions targeting gambling venues alone are insufficient without tackling the broader structural inequality these communities face. Policies must integrate regulation of gambling premises’ density and location with initiatives aimed at economic regeneration, employment creation, and enhanced social welfare.
Cross-departmental collaboration across health, economic development, and community services is essential to devise sustainable strategies for coastal regeneration and harm prevention. Increasing funding for gambling treatment and prevention services must accompany efforts to control gambling venue proliferation.
Background on Coastal Deprivation and Gambling Landscape
Coastal communities in the UK face distinctive challenges stemming from historical economic decline, seasonal employment, and demographic shifts. These factors contribute to persistent deprivation affecting social mobility and public health outcomes.[2]
The gambling landscape mirrors these disparities. While betting shops are more common in urban settings, seaside towns have significantly higher densities of amusement arcades and bingo halls. This reflects both market dynamics and regulatory frameworks that have allowed gambling operators to capitalize on deprived areas where alternative leisure options may be limited.[1]
Experts argue that reversing these trends requires an in-depth understanding of coastal deprivation’s multifaceted nature, beyond focusing narrowly on gambling-related issues. Tackling the root causes of economic distress is critical in reducing dependency on potentially harmful industries.
The ongoing situation in the UK’s seaside towns underscores the urgency for informed, evidence-based policy decisions. Parliament’s role extends beyond enforcing gambling control measures to fostering economic and social resilience in vulnerable coastal communities. Only through coordinated, multi-sector action can the cycle of “deprivation bingo” and its associated harms be effectively mitigated.