Gambling policy Part A

1.1. In exercising most of their functions under the Gambling Act 2005, licensing authorities must have regard to the licensing objectives as set out in section 1 of the Act. The licensing objectives are:

• 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

It should be noted that the Gambling Commission has stated: “The requirement in relation to children is explicitly to protect them from being harmed or exploited by gambling”.

1.2. The Council will not have regard to demand when deciding whether or not to grant a premises licence and is aware that in making decisions about premises licences it should aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as it thinks it:

(i) in accordance with any relevant code of practice issued by the Gambling Commission

(ii) in accordance with any relevant guidance issued by the Gambling Commission

(iii) reasonably consistent with the licensing objectives (subject to (i) and (ii) and

(iv) in accordance with the authority’s statement of licensing policy (subject to (i), (ii) and (iii).