Gambling licensing policy

The Licensing Authority has not passed a ‘no casino’ resolution under section 166 of the Gambling Act 2005, but is aware that it has the power to do so.

Should the Licensing Authority decide in the future to pass such a resolution, it will update this policy statement with details of that resolution. Any such decision would be made by the Full Council. It should also be noted that there is currently no power within the Act to issue casino licences.

In line with national guidance, bingo can be played in any premises for which a premises licence has been granted which authorises this activity.

This will be a relevant consideration where the operator of an existing bingo premises applies to vary their licence to exclude an area of the existing premises from its ambit and then applies for a new premises licence, or multiple licences, for that or those excluded areas.

Under the Act, children and young persons cannot be employed in providing any facilities for gambling on bingo premises and children cannot be employed, in any capacity, at a time when facilities for playing bingo are being offered. However, young persons may be employed in bingo premises (while bingo is being played), provided the activities on which they are employed are not connected with the gaming or gaming machines.

The Licensing Authority considers that the ability of children to enter bingo premises poses a particular risk in terms of access to gaming machines. The Licensing Authority expects applicants to propose robust procedures to ensure that no such access occurs.