The Committee is asked to comment on the accompanying Gambling Policy report that is going to Cabinet on 26th October 2022, and details of the newly revised Gambling Policy.

The Committee received report on the Councils Gambling Policy 2022- 2025 is going to Cabinet on 26th October 2022 , and includes details of the newly revised Gambling Policy. The Committee reviewed the report and the discussion is summarised below:

The Committee:

v  Noted that as a Licensing Authority the Council must review the existing Gambling Policy and adopt a new policy in November 2022, as one of the responsibilities it has to regulate ‘high street’ premises under the Gambling Act 2005. The purpose of the policy is to define how the responsibilities under the Act are going to be exercised and administered.

v  Noted that the Act requires Licensing Authorities to aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as it is in accordance with the regulatory framework (any codes of practice and Gambling Commission guidance) This means that the council can only refuse gambling that is not in accordance with the codes of practice and guidance and cannot for example ban gambling or specific forms of gambling.

v  Noted that subject to agreement the Policy will be presented to Full Council for adoption under the provisions set out by the Council’s Constitution.

v  Noted that some of the major issues and concerns about gambling are not addressed in the policy or by the approach of the consultation e.g.  gambling addiction, which is outside the remit of the consultation, as are arguments about the public benefits, or otherwise, of a more liberal gambling regime.

v  Understood that all applicants and licence holder must promote the three licensing objectives.  This Policy is written with the view to promoting the three licensing objectives of the 2005 Act. These objectives are to (i) prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime; (ii) ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and (iii) protect children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

v  Was informed that the Council does not have the powers within its Gambling Policy to regulate on-line gambling sites. All gambling websites trading with, or advertising to, consumers in Britain must have a Gambling Operators licence and a Remote Gambling Licence both issued by the Gambling Commission.  Remote-Gambling is regulated by the Gambling Commission and Local Authorities do not hold any powers under the act in respect of Remote Gambling (i.e., Online Gambling).

v  Noted that the Government (i) has indicated that it wants there to be a gambling sector that is both vibrant and responsible; (ii) wants to make sure the industry is putting player protection and social responsibility at the heart of their businesses.

v  Agreed that gambling is increasingly cited as a public health issue which requires a broad response; that is to say, traditional approaches that focus on single interventions do not tend to work at a population level. Harmful gambling is a complex problem with a large number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

To consider the report of the Mayor in Cabinet on the proposed revised Gambling Policy for 2019-22.

The Council considered a report of the Mayor in Cabinet on the proposed revised Gambling Policy for 2019-22.

DECISION:

1.         That the revised Gambling Policy for 2019-22 be adopted.

(Action by: Ann Sutcliffe, Corporate Director, Place).

The Council considered a report of the Mayor in Cabinet on the proposed revised Gambling Policy for 2019-22.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the revised Gambling Policy for 2019-22 be adopted.

DECISION

1.    To recommend to Full Council the adoption of the revised Gambling Policy.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards (D. Tolley)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report on the updated Gambling Policy for 2019-22. He reported that the Council was required to review the policy every three years and that it was an important document in helping prevent gambling related crime and disorder, protecting children and the vulnerable and generally preventing harm relating to gambling.

The Mayor noted that changes to the policy were highlighted in the documents. He noted that no new licenses had been issued since 2014 which was seen as encouraging and he welcomed the reduction in prize money on fixed odds betting terminals. He agreed to recommend the policy to Council for adoption.

RESOLVED

1.    To recommend to Full Council the adoption of the revised Gambling Policy.