Hackney LBC has made use of the DCLG's ‘barrier-busting' website in a bid to gain full control over where bookmakers can open premises within the borough's high streets.

In a submission made under the Sustainable Communities Act, Hackney has proposed that a separate use class be assigned to betting shops, putting them on a par with casinos and nightclubs.

This would effectively give the council and residents the right to vet each application, and the potential impact of a new betting shop could be a key factor in whether approval was given.

Betting shops are currently classed as A2 – financial and professional services – which means they don't need planning permission when opening in premises previously occupied by the likes of banks and employment agencies.

But from May gambling outlets will no longer need to apply for permission to take over an even wider range of premises, as part of deregulation efforts.

Hackney, which has 65 betting shops, eight in one street alone, has the cross-party support of 31 other London boroughs and 35 councils outside the capital.

Hackney Mayor Jules Pipe said: ‘Something needs to be done to stop betting shops cynically targeting deprived communities.  Many act like financial vampires feeding off vulnerable people, fuelling addictions and other problems and adding to the difficulties of already hard-pressed families.'

He said betting shops were ‘sapping the vibrancy and variety' of Hackney's high streets but denied the campaign was about banning betting shops.

‘We acknowledge responsible and well-run businesses have a right to trade, but we need the tools so we can strike the right balance.'

‘The Government says it supports localism and the ideal of local people shaping their communities,' Mayor Pipe added.

‘Hackney is therefore asking for change on betting shops to allow this, a change recommended by the Government's own high streets tsar and supported by a wealth of other research and reports.'