Consultation: Camden's Revised Gambling Policy

Closed 7 Sep 2012

Opened 27 Jul 2012

Contact

Tony Hawkes

(Senior Licensing Officer)

Noise & Licensing Enforcement Team

020 7974 2637

tony.hawkes@camden.gov.uk

Feedback updated 18 Jul 2013

We asked

As part of the review, we consulted widely with licence holders, local residents and many other groups or organisations that have an interest in Camden or with gambling. The consultation was carried out from 27 July 2012 to 07 September 2012.

You said

When compared to previous consultations on the Gambling Policy, the results showed that there was increased concern in Camden about problem gambling and the harmful affect that this can have on peoples lives. This is an issue that we take very seriously and we believe that all gambling operators should act responsibly to prevent harm to their customers, which can include both residents in Camden and visitors to the borough.

We did

Having listened to the responses of the consultation, we have strengthened the Policy to address problem gambling and the protection of vulnerable people in more detail. This includes setting out the issues that we believe can be a consequence of problem gambling, and the range of factors that we may take in to account when considering applications. We have also introduced a new appendix to the policy which gives details of organisations and services that can provide help and support to people who suffer from problem gambling. Following the review of our Gambling Policy in 2012, a revised Policy was agreed by the Council on the 12th November 2012.

Results updated 18 Jul 2013

The consultation was carried out from 27 July 2012 to 07 September 2012. When compared to previous consultations on the Gambling Policy, the results showed that there was increased concern in Camden about problem gambling and the harmful affect that this can have on peoples lives. This is an issue that we take very seriously and we believe that all gambling operators should act responsibly to prevent harm to their customers, which can include both residents in Camden and visitors to the borough.

Having listened to the responses of the consultation, we have strengthened the Policy to address problem gambling and the protection of vulnerable people in more detail. This includes setting out the issues that we believe can be a consequence of problem gambling, and the range of factors that we may take in to account when considering applications. We have also introduced a new appendix to the policy which gives details of organisations and services that can provide help and support to people who suffer from problem gambling.

Following the review of our Gambling Policy in 2012, a revised Policy was agreed by the Council on the 12th November 2012.

Overview

Camden is required by law to publish a Gambling Policy. The Policy summarises keys points of the Gambling Act 2005, and sets out the approach Camden will take when considering applications for betting shops, amusement arcades and similar premises.

The Policy also includes Camden’s approach to new Casinos, and the current policy prevents any new casino licences being issued in the borough.

This questionnaire provides you with opportunity to give us your views about our Revised Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 (gambling policy).

Camden is required to review the gambling policy every 3 years, and no changes are being proposed to the current policy at this stage.

 We intend to consult on the impact of the gambling policy and welcome your views.

 Completing this questionnaire

We ask you to read Camden’s gambling policy and then complete this questionnaire. A link to the draft policy can be found at the bottom of this page.

If you would like extra copies of the consultation pack you can download the consultation pack from our website: camden.gov.uk/licensing and follow the links to the Gambling Consultation web page.

Providing your comments

Please be mindful that the Gambling Act is very prescriptive and prevents us from considering comments of the following nature:

Moral objections –we will not be able to consider comments based on a dislike of gambling, or a general view that it is undesirable to allow gambling premises in an area.

Planning– planning processes must remain separate from the licensing process. We cannot consider planning or building control permissions and/or any planning restrictions.

Demand– we cannot take into account issues around the demand or need for gambling premises in an area.

Why your views matter

Under the Gambling Act, the Policy has to be reviewed every 3 years, and Camden has to publish a new policy in January 2013. The new proposed policy is essentially the same as the current policy, and we are seeking views on whether there is a need to revise some parts of the policy.Types of premises applicable to the Gambling Policy.

What happens next

The results of the consultation will be put forward to the Licensing Committee, who will take responses in to account when deciding on any changes to the draft policy. The revised Policy after consultation is expected to be formally adopted at a meeting of the full Council on 12thNovember 2012, and will come into effect on the 31stJanuary 2013.

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Business and local economy
  • Community and living
  • Council and democracy
  • Environment
  • Leisure
  • Policing and public safety
  • Social care and health