Agenda item
Gambling Policy Review 2015/16
Minutes:
Mr David Tolley, Head of Consumer and Business Regulations introduced the report on the Gambling Policy Review. He explained that as a Licensing Authority the Council must review the existing Gambling Policy and adopt a new policy by November 2016, as one of the responsibilities it has to administer ‘high street’ licences under the Gambling Act 2005.
He explained that the purpose of the policy is to define how the responsibilities under the Act were going to be exercised and administered. This was highly prescribed and limited by statute. It was noted that a statutory consultation process must be undertaken, and this had commenced on the 19 October 2015 and would last for three months and end on 17th January 2016. In addition there would be the opportunity for the local community to comment along with other partners.
It was noted that following consultation the reviewed policy will ultimately go to full Council for adoption.
Mr Tolley explained that the Gambling Act 2005 gave local authorities a range
of responsibilities relating to gambling. The Gambling Policy states how the
Licensing Authority would be able to exercise its authority.
The policy covered the following:
· How the Licensing Authority will use its regulatory powers in relation to applications and reviews of the activities it regulates, to the extent it is allowed by statute.
· The main licensing objectives for the authority is protecting children, preventing crime and disorder and ensuring gambling is fair and open.
· The Licensing Authorities approach to regulation
· The scheme of delegation
- Members should note that some of the major issues and concerns about gambling are not addressed in the policy and in any consultation. For example, gambling addiction is outside the remit of the consultation, as are arguments about the public benefits, or otherwise, of a more liberal gambling regime.
Mr Tolley said that there have been several concerns raised though London Councils concerning the fixed odds betting terminals that had been installed within betting shops. These gambling machines play games of chance such as roulette. With a betting shop licence, the operator can install up to four machines, which have a maximum stake of £100 and a maximum prize of £500. London Councils are promoting that the maximum £100 stake on machines should be changed to £2 to prevent the clustering of betting shops due to the profitability of such gambling machines. It was noted that Tower Hamlets was a signatory to this campaign.
In response to questions from Members the following was noted;
- That there were four Licensing Officers in post to monitor activities around the borough.
- That staff in Trading Standards and Environmental Health are also used to carry out work across services.
- That there has been one gambling application in the last year for a Paddy Power Shop in Roman Road. This application was objected to by the community, but after consideration by the Licensing Sub Committee and legal advice the licence was issued
- That Members’ supported the London Council’s initiative of promoting the maximum £100 stake on machines to be changed at £2 to prevent the clustering of betting shops.
- That officers, explore options to restrict the number of machines that an operator can install with a betting shop licence, from up to four machines to two.
RESOLVED
1. That the report be noted.
Supporting documents:
- Gambling Policy Review 2015-2016, item 3.3 PDF 97 KB
- Gambling Policy - Appendix One, item 3.3 PDF 376 KB
- Gambling Policy - Appendix Two, item 3.3 PDF 81 KB
- Gambling Policy - Appendix Three, item 3.3 PDF 82 KB