Richmond Gambling Policy Review 2018

Overview

The Gambling Act 2005 requires the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, as Licensing Authority, to prepare and publish a Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 every three years. A review of the Borough's current policy, which is due to expire in January 2019, is now underway.

The Licensing Authority must have regard to the licensing objectives as set out in section 1 of the Act. The licensing objectives are:

• Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or 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.

Statement of Principles

This draft Statement of Principles encompasses the changes that have taken place in legislation, guidance and case law since the third policy was published in January 2016.

There has been very little change in the number of gambling premises in the borough under the Gambling Act 2005.  This new draft Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 is similar in length to the previous one.  We have tried to keep it to a manageable length, but also recognise that there is value to have extracts from the current Gambling Commission’s guidance in the policy as many using it will not be familiar with the other sources of information.  This is a comprehensive document that should prove useful to applicants, gambling premises operators, other businesses and residents.

Please note that moral objections to gambling are not a valid reason to reject applications for premises licence and will not be considered as relevant consultation responses.  The authority’s decision cannot be based on dislike of gambling, or a general notion that it is undesirable to allow gambling premises in an area (with the exception of a no casino resolution); nor may it consider whether there is a demand for such facilities as part of its decision making.

Casino Policy

The Licensing Authority is also seeking your views on whether we should continue with the Council’s ‘no casino’ resolution. A no casino resolution was re-adopted in November 2015. Further details can be found at paragraph 24 of the draft Statement of Principles.

Download the Draft Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005     

A copy of the draft can be viewed here. However, if you require a hard copy please contact the licensing team at licensing@richmond.gov.uk or telephone 020 8831 6455 and a copy will be sent to you.  Your comments on the policy are welcomed and will be put before the Regulatory Committee once the consultation period has ended. Committee will then decide on the gambling policy to be recommended for adoption by full Council in due course.

How to respond

Please give us your views using the online survey below.

Alternatively you can email  licensing@richmond.gov.uk or send written responses to:

The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, The Licensing Authority, (Gambling Policy Consultation), C/o Barry Croft Licensing Manager, Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ

The closing date is Monday 1 October 2018.