The Licensing Sub-Committee of Bexley Council met on Thursday 24 September 2026 to consider an application for an adult gaming centre licence. The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items.

Application for a Premises Licence: Merkur Slots, Sidcup

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a premises licence for an Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) known as Merkur Slots, located at Unit B, Ground Floor, 83 Sidcup High Street, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6DN. This application was referred to the Sub-Committee for determination due to representations made by 20 interested parties.

The report pack detailed the nature of an Adult Gaming Centre, which authorises the provision of specific categories of gaming machines (B3, B4, C, and D) with defined limits on stakes and prizes. The application was made by Merkur Slots UK Limited, who hold the requisite operating licence from the Gambling Commission.

The documents provided included the application itself, a plan of the premises, a local area risk assessment, and supporting documentation from the applicant's solicitors. Crucially, the report pack also contained the representations from 20 interested parties, outlining their objections to the application. These objections raised concerns regarding:

• Crime and Disorder: Concerns were expressed about the potential for increased anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, and general disorder, particularly given the proposed 24-hour operating hours and the proximity to residential areas and a bus stop used by schoolchildren. Councillor Andy Curtois of Sidcup Ward submitted objections based on his experience with a similar 24-hour Merkur Slots opening in Welling, citing drug dealing, public urination, and associated crime.
• Protection of Children and Vulnerable Persons: Objections highlighted the proximity of the proposed venue to schools, a residential estate (Chaplin House) with children and vulnerable residents, and a bus stop frequently used by schoolchildren. Concerns were raised about the normalisation of gambling and the potential for harm or exploitation.
• Impact on Residential Amenity: Residents of Chaplin House, a residential estate adjacent to the proposed premises, raised significant concerns about noise, disturbance, littering, and a general decline in the quality of life due to the proximity of a 24-hour gambling venue. They also highlighted issues with existing anti-social behaviour in the area, which they feared would be exacerbated.
• Fair and Open Operation: While primarily a matter for the Gambling Commission, concerns were raised about the overall suitability of the premises and its operation in such a sensitive location.
• Economic and Reputational Impact: Objections suggested that the presence of a 24-hour gambling venue would negatively impact the local business community and Sidcup's reputation as a cultural hub, potentially deterring investment and other businesses.

Merkur Slots UK Limited, the applicant, provided a comprehensive Local Area Risk Assessment and witness statements from their Head of Compliance and Operations Director. They detailed their extensive operational standards, staff training, and commitment to safer gambling practices, including a Think 25 policy, customer interaction procedures, and self-exclusion schemes. They also provided reports from Leveche Associates Ltd, an independent security consultancy, which conducted covert observations at the proposed Sidcup site and a comparable 24-hour Merkur Slots premises in Welling. These reports concluded that the operations were well-run and unlikely to undermine the licensing objectives.

The applicant also proposed a set of conditions to be attached to the licence, including the operation of a Think 25 proof of age scheme, comprehensive CCTV coverage, an incident log, participation in a local Betwatch scheme, measures to prevent nuisance outside the premises, and specific staffing levels during late-night hours.

The meeting documents also included extensive information on Merkur Slots UK Limited's operational standards, policies, and procedures related to the Gambling Act 2005 licensing objectives, as well as details of their training programmes and accreditations.

The agenda also included standard procedural items such as the appointment of a chairman, apologies for absence, confirmation of previous minutes, and declarations of interests and dispensations.