Gambling Policy Consultation

Overview

Under Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 the licensing authority must review the Statement of Gambling Policy every 3 years. The aim of the Gambling Policy is to promote the licensing objectives contained within the act which are:

• Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime
• Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
• Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling

There are prescribed procedures that the Council must undertake before the policy statement can take effect. This involves making the policy statement publicly available for consultation by a variety of means. Public consultations promote transparency. They allow residents to hold authorities accountable and ensure decisions align with community needs.

Why your views matter

Your views are important as they directly impact the final policy. By participating you help address potential harms associated with gambling, such as addiction, financial strain and crime. Consultations provide an opportunity to strike a balance between economic interests (e.g. revenue from gambling establishments) and protecting vulnerable individuals. Your input helps find this equilibrium. Local authorities are legally obligated to review and update their gambling policies periodically. Your participation ensures compliance with these requirements. Your voice matters and participating in consultations empowers you to influence positive change in your community.

What happens next

Following consultation and receipt of observations and comments the final policy will be put before the Licensing Committee for approval on the 14^th November 2024. The final policy will then be put before Full Council for approval on the 11^th December 2024. With Full Council Agreement the policy will be published in January 2025.