HAVE YOUR SAY ON CAMDEN’S GAMBLING POLICY

19 July 2006

Residents and businesses are being urged to have their say on Camden Council’s draft Gambling Policy, which goes out for public consultation this week (19 July 2006).

This gives everyone who lives and works in the borough the chance to give their view on the council’s draft policy, by making their comments at the earliest possible stage. The consultation runs until 11 October 2006.

The questionnaire poses points such as whether the council should pass a three-year resolution to stop new casinos from being developed, and seeks views on how it can promote the gambling licensing objectives. It will be sent to more than 500 organisations and individuals, including tenants’ and residents’ associations and faith and community groups. Members of the public who want to make comments can also do so via the council’s website or in writing.

Camden Council has drafted a gambling policy because the government’s Gambling Act (2005) gives local authorities new powers to licence gambling premises. This will include issuing premises licences for: casinos; bingo halls; betting offices; amusement arcades with gaming machines for adults; family amusement arcades; and granting permits for gaming machines in clubs and pubs. The new system is expected to come into force in September 2007.

The Act also allows for 17 new casinos in the UK, however Camden Council has written to the government to say that it will not be making an application for a new casino in the borough. The Act does not give the council the power to take a view on moral objections to gambling, on the demand for gambling premises or the likelihood of applications being granted planning permission.

Cllr Don Williams, Chair of Licensing Committee, Camden Council, said:

“This is the opportunity for residents, businesses and other interested groups to make their voice heard on Camden Council’s draft Gambling Policy. The council does not have the power to make moral judgments on gambling. Our role is to ensure that the policy we develop prevents gambling from causing or supporting crime, and that we protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by it.”

It is likely that Camden will have around 85 premises that will need to re-apply for a licence, most of which are betting shops, plus a handful of amusement arcades and two already existing casinos. The council also issues permits to around 160 small society lotteries a year, as well as permits for ‘one arm bandit’ machines in alcohol-licensed premises such as pubs.

For more information on the draft Gambling Policy or to submit your views online, please visit Camden Council’s website at: www.camden.gov.uk/licensing. Alternatively you can write to: Camden Licensing Team - Gambling Act Implementation, Camden Town Hall Extension, Argyle Street, London WC1H 8EQ.

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