Wiltshire Council is seeking views on its draft gambling policy, which sets out how the council will manage premises with Gambling licences and will provide clarity for residents, business and all those who make gambling licence applications.
Licensing Authorities are required to review their Statement of Gambling Principles Policy every three years and Wiltshire Council’s current policy must be renewed by October 2024.
The Statement of Gambling Principles Policy sets out how the council would apply its functions under the Gambling Act 2005, particularly when making decisions on applications for gambling premises, small lotteries and club machines.
The policy will also cover adult gaming centres, family entertainment centres, casinos, bingo premises, betting premises, tracks and travelling fairs. The council also has the ability to issue permits for prize gaming and unlicensed family entertainment centres.
The policy will specify the information required and the principles to be applied when determining a premises licence applications include definition of premises, location, duplication with other regulatory regimes, conditions, and supervision of gaming facilities. It will also include the council’s enforcement principles and the principles underpinning the right of review.
Wiltshire Council is now consulting on the proposed new Statement of Gambling Principles Policy and the draft policy can be found on the Wiltshire Council website under Gambling. The consultation will run for four weeks, until Monday 5 August. People can give their views by completing the Draft Licensing Policy 2024-29 consultation survey (opens new window) online via the Wiltshire Council website. Paper copies are also available in Wiltshire Council libraries.
The current Statement of Licensing Policy can be found on the Wiltshire Council Gambling webpage.
Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: We are responsible as the local authority for the licensing of all premises used for all forms of gambling, with the exception of the National Lottery and online gambling. Licensed premises play a prominent and important part in our local communities, and we would welcome the views of our residents, or indeed anyone who has an interest in licensing and the promotion of the licensing objectives, so that we can formalise our next policy.
The results of the consultation will be reported back to the council’s Licensing Committee at its meeting in September.