Gambling act policy consultation

Gambling act policy review

Our policy covers the grant of licences, permits and registrations issued under the Gambling Act 2005.  It details how we will promote the gambling licensing objectives and the expectation of licence holders in promoting these objective as well.

The licensing objectives 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 persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

Under the Gambling Act 2005 we are required to review our policy every three years and consult on any changes. Our current policy runs until 31 January 2024.

Gambling act policy consultation

We are seeking views on our draft policy which will cover the period January 2025 to December 2027 (2025 - 2027 policy).

We have revised the content of the policy to reflect the latest guidance issued to licensing authorities by the Gambling Commission, to provide practical clarity to existing and potential licence holders, and to assist Council officers to correctly apply the legal provisions of the Act.

The revision has led to minor amendments.

You can download the draft policy below.

Draft Gambling Act Policy (PDF) [1MB]

The following comments will not be considered.

• a dislike of gambling,
• a general view that it is undesirable to allow gambling premises in the district,
• a lack of demand or need for gambling premises,
• anonymous.

The consultation will run from 08 July 2024 until midnight on 15 September 2024.

If you wish to comment on the draft policy please email your response to licensing@nfdc.gov.uk by midnight on 15 September 2024.

Please title your email GA2005 CONSULTATION.

Privacy policy

Names of those who have submitted a comment during the consultation period will be included in future reports but contact details will be removed.

View our privacy policy for information on how we will use your information.

Following the consultation period

Following the formal consultation process, an analysis of responses will be undertaken and the results collated for the General Purposes and Licensing Committee (GP&L) to consider. Any comments received during the consultation will be considered by the GP&L Committee and an updated Policy drafted before the Council formally agrees to publish the new Policy for 2025 - 2027.