Skip to main content

Statement of principles for gambling in Westminster

Our statement of principles for gambling.

We are required by the Gambling Act 2005 to publish a statement of the principles that we propose to apply when exercising our functions under the Act.

This statement must be published every 3 years. The first period of 3 years started on 31 January 2007. 

New Gambling Policy

Our Statement of Principles for Gambling (Gambling Policy) must be reviewed and republished every three years. This process was completed in late 2021 when the previous version of our Gambling Policy was re-adopted. This was to satisfy the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act). It was intended that the re-adopted policy would be a place holder until a new Gambling Policy was adopted.

Under our Fairer Westminster Strategy we pledged to “adopt a gambling policy to protect vulnerable residents and visitors from gambling harm”.

A completely new Gambling Policy has been developed that provides far greater clarity, detail and scope on what we will consider when determining applications for new gambling premises and varying existing premises under the Act.

This new policy is extremely detailed and therefore is a significantly different from anything that we or any other local authority has produced before. Our Gambling Policy is a key element when determining whether an application should be permitted, in line with the principles that must be applied under the Act.

The new policy builds on the requirements for gambling operators to fully assess the associated risk of their gambling operation, which includes the premises, the gambling activity and its location on the licensing objectives under the Act.

The new policy also includes new approaches that utilise the findings from our Local Area Profile for gambling risk in Westminster. The Gambling Vulnerability Zones and associated policy approaches have been created to highlight the areas where some people may be at greater risk of gambling related harm.

This approach establishes our expectations of applicants and existing operators to fully assess and address these risks within their application for a licence, permit or other permission issued by us under the Act. Existing operators will also be expected to review their gambling risk assessments and ensure that they have taken account of our Local Area Profile for Gambling risk for Westminster and this policy.

Residents and Responsible Authorities will also be able to use this new policy when considering applications for new premises and variations of existing ones and the potential impact that the application, if granted may have in the area. 

On Wednesday 9 November at the Full Council meeting, Members approved to adopt the new Gambling Policy so that it would come into effect on the 12 December 2022.  

Notice of Publication of Statement of Principles for Gambling

Before the Statement of Principles for Gambling can come into effect the Council, as Licenisng Authority under the Act is required under Regulation 7 of the Gambling Act 2005 (Licensing Authority Policy Statement) (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 to publish the revised Statement of Principles for Gambling and advertise the publication of the Statement of Principles for Gambling for 4 weeks prior to the when it will take effect.

To comply with this regulation the Council must publish a notice and provide a copy of the new Statement of Principles for Gambling (Gambling Policy) on our website.

The Council is also required to place the Notice above on its Public Notice Board at is offices at Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP.  A hard copy of the new Statement of Principles for Gambling will also be available for inspection at these offices between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. 

Previous statements of principles

  • 31 January 2022 to 11 December 2022
Document
Edition 5A of our statement of principles
  • 31 January 2019 to 30 January 2022.
Document
Edition 5 of our statement of principles

Published: 15 January 2021

Last updated: 8 September 2023