West Suffolk Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Policy Consultation 2024
Audience: Licensees, parish and town councils, Suffolk Constabulary, ward councillors,
This consultation is now closed.
It was open from 2 August 2024 to 30 August 2024.
Why is the Statement of Licensing Policy being consulted on?
West Suffolk Statement is required under the Gambling Act 2005 to review its gambling licensing policy every three years to ensure that we are carrying out licensing functions in accordance with current legislation.
The Gambling Act 2005 outlines how gambling can be legally provided. It is based on three 'licensing objectives' which must be promoted by anyone involved in providing gambling. We must consider the impact on these objectives before granting gambling licences. In summary, these objectives are:
- preventing crime
- protecting children and vulnerable people
- ensuring fair and open gambling.
What this means
Licensing authorities must have regard to their statement when carrying out their licensing functions. The statement cannot create new requirements for applicants outside of the act and cannot override the right of any person to make an application, make representations or seek a review of a licence under the act.
However, in line with the need to protect 'vulnerable people', the council can set out key datasets in the local area profile (LAP). This allows for licensing decisions to have due regard to local issues and 'vulnerabilities'.
What national Government is doing
In April 2023, the Government released a white paper that proposed reforms of the Gambling Act, 2005, to ensure that gambling companies pay for treatments for issues relating to gambling addiction, proposed new player protection checks and stake limits for online slots. The paper also proposed to strengthen powers granted to the Gambling Commission to fine gambling operators for failing to protect people at risk.
While these changes are not scheduled, it is thought that any changes made by government could occur in 2025.
Does this affect West Suffolk’s review?
In light of prospective national changes, including fundamental legislative changes, West Suffolk Council has sought advice from the Local Government Association, as well as the national bodies responsible for gambling: the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Gambling Commission.
The advice provided is that the West Suffolk Council Gambling Statement is refreshed in line with the requirements of the Gambling Act so as to be enforceable from January 2025. Thereafter, the authority will be able to revise the Statement within the three-year timescale.
As such, this doesn’t affect things right now – West Suffolk Council will carry out the review as planned, with the intention of returning to the issue after January 2025 if and when the government makes changes.
What the policy covers
As a licensing authority, the objectives that the gambling policy must adhere to are:
- preventing gambling from being a source of crime and 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.
The objective of the statement of policy is to provide a vision for the local area and a statement of intent that guides practice. The statement cannot create new requirements for applicants outside of the act and cannot override the right of any person to make an application, make representations or seek a review of a licence under the act. However, it can invite people and operators to consider local issues and set out how they can contribute towards positively addressing them.
How to comment on the draft statement
See our Draft West Suffolk Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Policy to view the draft document.
For more information download: West Suffolk Council Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Policy Consultation – more information
The consultation will run from 2 August. The closing date for comments is 5pm on 30 August 2024.
All comments must be in writing and sent by email to: licensing@westsuffolk.gov.uk
or in writing to:
Licensing Team
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3YU
Note: All respondents should provide their name and details of the body that they represent (if relevant).
What happens after the consultation period
All responses will be considered prior to the adoption of the final statement.
Following this, we'll notify all respondents (and licence holders), of the final statement that has been adopted.