Slot machine firms target UK’s poorest areas and channel funds to billionaires

<p><strong>Exclusive:</strong> Politicians including Andy Burnham call for councils to be given powers to stop new sites opening</p><p>Slot machine companies are targeting Britain’s poorest neighbourhoods and channelling the proceeds to billionaire-owned overseas corporations and a Wall Street fund that uses an offshore lending structure, the Guardian can reveal.</p><p>The number of slot machine shops has risen by 7% since 2022, as companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/04/uk-gambling-firms-adopt-hard-tactics-to-flood-towns-with-24hr-slot-machines">-friendly planning and licensing laws</a> to flood Britain’s high streets with new “adult gaming centres” (AGCs), most of which are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/08/britain-24-hour-slot-machines-gambling-arcades">open 24 hours a day</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/18/slot-machine-firms-uk-poorest-areas-andy-burnham">Continue reading...</a>