Gambling policy consultation

A review of St Albans City and District Council's gambling policy is now open for consultation.

Councils are obliged by law to review their gambling licensing policy every three years and the latest proposals can be viewed in full online.

All interested parties – including community groups, businesses and individuals - have until Thursday 8 October to have their say.

Their views will be considered by Councillors from the Licensing and Regulatory Committee before any policy changes are voted on.

Councillor Maxine Crawley, chair of the Committee, said: “We want to hear from anyone affected. All issues raised will be considered before any decisions are made.”

In issuing licences, the Council has several objectives including preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder.

It is also committed to protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The Council’s policy governs the issuing of licences for premises for gambling. This covers betting shops and pubs with fruit machines.

The proposal is to keep most of the existing 2013 policy intact, but a few changes are being put forward to reflect the latest guidance from the Gambling Commission.

For example, adding a requirement for applicants to prove their gambling premises will not be sited close to high concentrations of young or vulnerable people.

A “Local Area Profile” will be drawn up, mapping the location of schools, youth clubs, care homes and centres for people with gambling addictions. 

Another proposed change includes measures designed to further safeguard children against the danger of sexual exploitation.

Applicants would in future have to show they have put in place management controls to minimise the risk of this occurring on their premises. 

 They would be expected to show their staff have been trained to be aware of the potential danger. They would be required to carry out regular patrols of the premises to ensure no one under-age has entered.

Premises would be expected to be staffed by a minimum of two workers on site at any time.

Another proposed change in the policy is an updating of the maximum prizes and stakes for gambling machines to fit in with the latest Gambling Commission guidelines.

The draft gambling policy review can be viewed in full on:www.stalbans.gov.uk/Images/GamblingPolicyDraft20162019DRAFT_tcm15-50849 (link content no longer available due to retirement of former website).

Comments  should be sent to licensing@stalbans.gov.uk or by post to Karen Hollands, Business Compliance Officer, Regulatory Services, St Albans City & District Council, Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans. AL1 3JE. 

Councillor contact:

Councillor Maxine Crawley, Chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee of St Albans City & District Council. Email: M.Crawley@StAlbans.gov.uk  Tel: 01582 793760 

Contact for the media:

John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City & District Council

Tel: 01727 296130 

E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk