Gambling Statement of Principles Review

Date consultation closed

30 September 2024

Description

The Gambling Act 2005 requires licensing authorities to publish a Statement of Principles, every three years. Stockton's current policy was published in January 2022 and as such, a new policy is due to be published in January 2025.

The statement includes three objectives, which support the role of the Gambling Commission and ourselves. These 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 people from being harmed or exploited by gambling

There have been no legislative changes since 2022, as such there have been no material changes to the current statement. The statement has had a refresh in regard to look, ease of use and updated information about the Borough, gambling participation and gambling harms.

As part of this review, we are consulting on the current policy and would like to know if you believe there are any changes or additions that should be included. We would also like you to consider if there are any local issues associated with gambling premises, which are not already addressed, that you feel should be included. The statement does not include web-based, online gambling or any aspects of advertising or promotion as these are the responsibility of the Gambling Commission. Therefore we are not seeking views on these as part of this consultation.

In 2023 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport conducted a public consultation relating to the land based gambling sector and new regulations have been proposed. Once implemented, these will be incorporated into the new statement.

Results and outcomes

Responses will be considered by the Statutory Licensing Committee before a final decision is made by Cabinet in January 2025.