Decision details

The Gambling Act 2005 places a responsibility on local authorities to publish a gambling statement of principles (policy) every three years. The last policy was published in January 2018. This is a reportreport seeking approval to adopt the proposed revised statement of principles.

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (to Council)

(1)            That the Revised Statement of Principles, as set out in Appendix A to the officer report, be recommended to Council for approval, noting the following:

a)    each application would be considered on its own individual merits without regard to demand and regulate gambling in the interests of public interest; and

b)    each application should uphold the three gambling objectives:

·       Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime and 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

(2)            That a “no casino” resolution be continued as previously agreed by the Authority as there is no evidence base to show the need for a casino or the benefits of such an establishment (the policy continues to support well-run, compliant gambling premises).

[Call-in did not apply to the decisions above as they are reserved to Council]

RESOLVED:  That the Revised Statement of Principles as set out in Appendix A to the officer report, be recommended to Council for approval.

Reasons:  The Authority has a statutory obligation to review and publish its gambling statement of principles every three years.  A full consultation had been undertaken in relation to this policy.