Gambling

 
 

Statement of Licensing Policy

The City Council is required by the Act to publish a statement of the principles that it proposes to apply when exercising its functions under the Act. This statement must be published every three years. The first period of three years started on 31 January 2007.

Scope of the Statement

The draft statement of principles has been prepared bearing in mind the limitations on the discretion of the City Council imposed by the Act. This gives predominance to the Gambling Commission's codes and guidance.

Under the provisions of the Act, the City Council must aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as it thinks it is:

(a) in accordance with any relevant code of practice issued by the Gambling Commission,
(b) in accordance with any relevant guidance issued by the Gambling Commission,
(c) reasonably consistent with the licensing objectives,

  • preventing gambling from being a source of crime or 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
(d) in accordance with the City Council’s statement of licensing principles subject to (a)-(c) above.

The above constraints do not apply to the Council's discretion in the granting of Unlicensed Family Entertainment centres (amusement arcades) and Prize Gaming Permits and intends to continue its previous policy approach and the use of its local bylaws.

In preparing this Draft Statement of Principles, the City Council has had regard to the licensing objectives of the Act, and the Guidance to Licensing Authorities issued by the Gambling Commission in April 2006. In producing the final policy statement, it will also have regard to any responses arising from the consultation on the statement.

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