CHINATOWN community chiefs have urged the council to do better to balance “profit and social responsibility” after another gambling centre was given the green light.

Westminster’s licensing committee granted an adult gaming centre (AGC) application for Gerrard Street on Wednesday despite objections from residents and the Chinatown Information and Advice Centre.

The meeting heard of long-standing complaints about an excess of gambling units that in previous years had brought Chinese groups out on the street in protest. Within a 250-metre radius of Gerrard Street, there are 63 Gambling Act licences, including five betting shops, two AGCs, eight casinos and a bingo hall.

CIAC’s chair Edmond Yeo told the committee: “We had one student, 18 years old, who came to us. They found themselves with no more money to pay fees. Despite all the money they had earned in the heart of Chinatown, all this income, they had no money left. There was a broken family, a mother and children with no food on the table because of gambling habits of the father. All the money had been sucked away by gambling. This led to domestic abuse.

“This is what we deal with every day. I plead with you to help our service users. Our workers. Our homeless. Do not let them be sacrificed time and again. We have to deal with this, because who else will take care of them? Gambling injures and hurts our community.” He added:

“This is about profit versus social responsibility.”

Objections to the application warned Westminster City Council to stop turning “Chinatown into a gambling destination” and there were concerns about “our young waiters and waitresses that walk home after working late-night shifts and may be targeted by gangs that loiter outside the arcade”.

One said: “Chinatown is home to bakeries, souvenir shops, bars and restaurants, and is a thriving hub of Oriental wonder. There is nothing Oriental about another betting shop on Gerrard Street.”

The unit was formerly a betting shop that closed in November. But the meeting heard there was a difference between traditional bookies and the recent rise of staffed centres with gambling machines only.

Lawyers for the CIAC said that while a betting shop can have a maximum of four of the most popular betting machines, the AGC could have up to 23.

Councillors – following a five hour meeting – said they were sympathetic to concerns but were unable to reject the application owing to regulations.

Silverdale Amusement Ltd’s application for 32 Gerrard Street was approved with a series of conditions.

Philip Kolvin QC, for the applicant, said: “Lots of gambling operators want to make their money from people who want to have a bit of fun… they do not want to keep food off children’s tables. For most people gambling is a harmless activity. But for a minority it is a harmful activity involving addiction and harm to themselves. That is why gambling is regulated.”

Committee chair Cllr Karen Scarborough said they had “a very great concern about the vulnerability of people in the area”, adding: “Having listened to all the evidence, and after a lengthy discussion, we have considered Gambling Act and our policies, and we are satisfied the conditions proposed will satisfy the licensing objectives. We have great sympathy with Mr Yeo. However we must comply with Gambling Act and our policies.”

The conditions include inviting residents and community groups to a meeting at least once every six months. Gambling help information will be placed in education facilities, drug and gambling treatment support services, and places of worship.

Notices about gambling advice will be put up in English and Chinese. Panic buttons will be worn by staff who will make an effort to stop intoxicated people using the machines or homeless using the premises to keep warm.