Have your say on Plymouth’s gambling policy

The spotlight is being turned on Plymouth’s casinos, bingo halls, betting shops, and adult gaming centres as part of a review of the Council’s gambling policy.

The Council has to consult every three years on the way it licenses the gaming trade and if it is consistent with its objectives to:

• Prevent gambling being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime and disorder, or being used to support crime
• Ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
• Protect children and the vulnerable from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The policy regulates the way the Council make decisions about how they licence premises such as casinos, betting shops, bingo halls and adult entertainment centres. It also covers gaming machines in pubs and social clubs.

In simple terms, a gambling operator needs to obtain an operating licence and any relevant personal licences from the Gambling Commission before applying to the Council for a premises licence.

We have reviewed our policy and have proposed some changes in the way we  regulates the issue of premises licences to casinos, bingo halls, betting premises and adult gaming centres.

In the future applicants will have to submit an assessment on how their business may impact on the local community and how they intend to reduce the risk of problem gambling.

Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities Philippa Davey said: “We feel it’s important to make these changes so that licensees take account of the local situation when making an a new application. For many people gambling is not a problem, but we need to do what we can to protect those vulnerable to problem gambling.”

The consultation starts On Tuesday 4 August and ends on Tuesday 25 August.

Comments can be sent in writing to Licensing Office, Plymouth City Council, Windsor House, Plymouth PL6 5UF.

A copy of the policy can be found on our website at www.plymouth.gov.uk/gamblingpolicyconsultation

For further information contact the Licensing Team on 01752 305465 or 304158.