Gambling Act

The Gambling Act covers the licensing of premises for various uses including:

• Betting offices
• Adult gaming centres
• Bingo clubs
• Gaming machines
• Temporary use notices
• Lottery applications

Gambling statement of licensing principles review

Under the Gambling Act 2005, we must publish a statement of principles (policy).

The policy aims to provide practical clarity to existing and potential licence holders, to assist council officers in correctly applying the legal provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 and to promote the following 3 licensing objectives:

1. Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime
2. Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
3. Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling

The policy must be reviewed every 3 years or when the council believes the policy requires updating. Part of the review process is to consult with those bodies and/or persons that may be affected including:

• Chief officer of police for the authority’s area
• One or more persons who appear to the authority to represent the interests of persons carrying on gambling businesses in the authority’s area
• One or more persons who appear to the authority to represent the interests of persons who are likely to be affected by the exercise of the authority’s functions under the Act

The current policy was approved in 2023 and to reflect the latest guidance and to update the area profile in line with the Essex County Council Census 2021 and the Office for National Statistics data.

It is a statutory requirement that the policy be reviewed and republished again by January 2025 however, given the recent review, consultation, and approval of the policy in 2023, no changes to the policy are necessary and therefore, the only change required, is the date on which the updated policy will take effect (January 2025).

The draft policy can be viewed below, should you wish to comment on the proposed changes, please send your comments by 30 September 2024 to:

• Email licensing@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
• Write to: The Licensing Team Manager, Civic Offices, High Street, Epping CM16 4BZ

Read our policy