Issue - meetings

To present Members with the consultation responses received in respect of the draft revised Gambling Policy. The report includes an evaluation of each response and gives a recommendation as to whether or not to amend the draft revised policy statement and, if so, in what way and to what extent. Members’ input is sought in finalising the policy statement for publication and implementation subject to approval by Full Council.

Discussion:

The Committee was advised that, under the Gambling Act 2005, Licensing Authorities were required to prepare and publish a Statement of Gambling Policy every three years. Members considered a report on the draft policy statement for 2022 to 2025, including the responses received during a four- week consultation period.

Members noted the proposed revisions to the policy, which included the addition of more information on the registration of Small Society Lotteries and a number of administrative amendments.

Members raised the following issues for discussion:

·       Small Society Lotteries – Officers confirmed that registration was required for lotteries where tickets were sold over a period of time and the tickets state the date of the draw.  No registration was required for tickets sold and drawn on the day of an event.

·       NHS support – A Member was pleased to note that the NHS support available for gambling addiction had increased.

·       The relationship between the Gambling Policy and Public Space Protection Orders(PSPOs) – Members were advised that the Licensing Authority was not involved with PSPOs.

·       Protecting children from harm – Officers confirmed that the policy statement did refer to protecting children from harm and noted that Members may wish for this to be expanded. However, this was more relevant to the Gambling Commission’s policy. It was recognised that there would be children in Medway with a gambling addiction and a Member suggested that awareness of this issue should be raised in schools. On the issue of underage testing, officers advised that, as a Licensing Authority, the Council did not have the powers to undertake such testing. It was noted that some larger companies organised their own test purchasing and advised Licensing Authorities of the results. 

·       Gambling advertising – A Member noted that a parliamentary paper on the regulation of gambling advertising had recently been published. Officers confirmed that, should any recommendations from this be agreed within the period of the Council’s gambling policy, they would be incorporated.

·       Maximum stake of gaming machines – A Member was pleased to note that the maximum stake for category B2 gaming machines was £2 and not £100 and that the Council had played a part in this decision.

·       Training for front-line staff – Officers agreed to liaise with Workforce Development regarding the possibility of providing training to front-line staff on how to recognise people that may have a problem with gambling.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)   noted the responses to the consultation and officers’ proposed amendments to the policy document as set out in paragraph 3 of the report;

b)   commented on the draft policy document attached at Appendix 1 to the report, including officers’ proposed amendments as set out in paragraph 3 of the report; and

c)   proposed no further amendments to the draft policy document prior to its consideration by Cabinet and recommendation to Full Council for approval.