Issue - meetings

Report ES1037

Under the Gambling Act 2005 the Council’s Statement of Gambling Policy had to be reviewed at least every 3 years. The current policy had been adopted in January 2019 and was therefore due for review. A consultation had been held between 18^th August and 20^th September 2021; the report presented the results of the consultation (Appendix A), and the proposed revised draft Statement of Gambling Policy for the period 2022 to 2025 (Appendix B), for approval and adoption at full Council on 6th December 2021.

The Committee was informed that only one representation had been received during the consultation – from lawyers acting for the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC.) The BGC sought one change which would make it easier for their license holders to change the conditions in their licenses, but it was not proposed to accept this.

Members sought further information about exactly how many Gambling Licenses were held in Bromley. Officers confirmed that there were no casinos or bingo halls in the borough, but a number of pubs held licenses to enable them to have slot machines. Further information would be circulated after the meeting.

Members raised the issue of the prevalence of betting shops, particularly as planning law had been relaxed to enable easier changes of use from retail to betting shops, and reference was made to a cluster of four betting shops in Penge High Street. Officers explained that, to set a limit on betting shops, it would be necessary to adopt a saturation policy with a risk assessment, but this had been examined previously and there was not sufficient evidence linking gambling premises to crime.  

RESOLVED that the response to the public consultation be noted, and Council on 6^th December 2021 be recommended to approve the revised Draft Statement of Gambling Policy 2022 to 2025 under the Gambling Act 2005 (Appendix B to the report) to have effect from 31^st January 2022.