Gambling laws shake-up to see review of fees councils can charge for premises licences, new powers to conduct cumulative impact assessments

The Government has announced a “major” reform of gambling laws in order to protect vulnerable users, which includes a review of the fees which local authorities can charge for premises licences.

The reforms will also, when Parliamentary time allows, create “new powers for local leaders to conduct impact assessments when considering new applications”. This move would see the regimes for alcohol and gambling licensing aligned.

The White Paper and proposals published on 27 April follow a call for evidence and are based on nearly 16,000 written submissions sent to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) during the process.

The proposals will be subject to further consultation by Government, or by the Gambling Commission where the changes can be affected through the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice.

Looking at ‘land-based gambling’, the Government has proposed to adjust the 80/20 ratio which governs the balance of Category B and C/D machines in bingo and arcade venues to 50/50, “to ensure that businesses can offer customer choice and flexibility while maintaining a balanced offer of gambling products”.

The White Paper notes that some licensing authorities had expressed concern that their powers were “not sufficient to apply local considerations and to shape gambling in their local areas” when making licensing decisions.

An option suggested by licensing authorities and the Gambling Commission was to introduce cumulative impact assessments (CIAs), which “take into account a range of information about a local area.”

This can include information such as local crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour statistics, health-related statistics, environmental health complaints, complaints recorded by the authority and evidence provided by local leaders or obtained through local consultation.

The DCMS said it was suggested that extending the CIA regime to gambling would “enable licensing authorities to take more account of certain evidence-based factors in their decision-making process” and could allow them to “establish a presumption against granting a premises licence in certain areas”.

Other measures proposed by the Government include:

• A statutory gambling operator levy to ensure that operators help fund treatment services and research, including through the NHS.
• New stake limits for online slots games that will be between £2 and £15 per spin.
• Extra powers for the Gambling Commission to enable it to tackle black market operators through court orders and work with internet service providers (ISPs) to take down and block illegal gambling sites.

Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said: “Technology has completely transformed how people bet. Everyone has the freedom to enjoy a flutter on the horses or football through their phones, anytime, anywhere - and most people do so without any issues.

“But for some people the availability of 24/7 online betting has compounded or created problem gambling, which can lead to life-changing financial loss and in the most tragic cases suicide.

“The legislation covering the gambling sector was written in 2005. It needs updating to reflect how we live today. The measures we are announcing will protect at-risk players, while allowing the millions who bet regularly to do so unhindered.”

Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, Andrew Rhodes, said: “The review is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver positive change for gambling in Great Britain and for all people impacted by it. Everyone at the Commission welcomes today’s publication of the White Paper and is determined to work with government and partners to make these changes a reality.

“Given the correct powers and resources, the Gambling Commission can continue to make gambling safer, fairer and crime free. This White Paper is a coherent package of proposals which we believe can significantly support and protect consumers, and improve overall standards in the industry.

“As the detailed implementation of the review now begins, we will also be reiterating to all operators that the Commission will strongly maintain its focus on consumer protection and compliance.”

Lottie Winson