The Gambling Act and how it affects Hackney

Hackney Council becomes a Licensing Authority under the Gambling Act 2005.  This new legislation from the Government gives responsibility for issuing gambling premises licences and a range of permits to local authorities. This means that from 2007 the Council’s Licensing Committee will become responsible for granting premises licences for:

• Bingo premises
• Betting premises, including tracks (for e.g. horse or dog racing)
• Adult gaming centres
• Family entertainment centres

As well as issuing a range of permits and notices for gambling activities.

Operating licences and personal licences will be issued by the Gambling Commission, the new national regulator for gambling established by the Act.  The Commission will also be responsible for regulating online gambling.

The Act makes clear that when Licensing Authorities are carrying out their duties to licence premises and issue permits that they have to bear the following objectives in mind:

• To prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime;
• To ensure that gambling is carried out in a fair and open way;
• To protect children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

About Hackney’s gambling policy

Hackney’s gambling policy is based on these licensing objectives and guidance from the Gambling Commission. The policy sets out how we will build on these core objectives and develop an approach to licensing premises for gambling that reflects local circumstances in the Borough.  

Making sure the new law is relevant to our local circumstances

In drafting this policy we have been mindful of the demographics in Hackney and how this links to the key licensing objectives set out in the Gambling Act 2005 in particular the need to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm.

Hackney is one of the most deprived boroughs in the country and has a high number of children and vulnerable adults. About 27% of the population are under the age of 19 and of these around 37% are dependants of someone claiming income support; this is twice the national average. Hackney also has high levels of ill health including some of the highest levels of mental illness in London.

The London Borough of Hackney is one of the main centres for culture and leisure in the capital with renowned theatres, restaurants, bars and clubs. However, with the exception of betting shops, Hackney has relatively few gambling establishments.

At present there are no casinos in Hackney and the Council has passed a no casino resolution to prevent such development in the foreseeable future.

Under the Act, Hackney, like all licensing authorities, must publish a policy setting out how it proposes to carry out its’ licensing functions. We have consulted on the policy and will review it from time to time; at least every three years.

The Licensing Authority recognises the important role that responsible authorities, the gambling trade and other stakeholders have to play in influencing this policy.  It has taken a wide range of views on the Policy before finalising and publishing.  Any unsolicited comments received were also considered by the Licensing Authority as part of the consultation exercise.

The full list of consultees, comments made and the consideration by the Licensing Authority of those comments is available by request from the Licensing Service or by emailing licensing@hackney.gov.uk.

The Policy was adopted at a meeting of the full council on 29 November 2006 and is pubilshed via the Licensing website.  Hard copies are available on request from:

• The Licensing Service, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration Service Reception, 263-265 Mare Street, London E8 1HJ
• The Town Hall, Mare Street, London E8 1EA
• The Central Library, Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, London E8 1GQ

The gambling policy will be published by no later than the 3rd January 2007 and will be effective from 31st January 2007 for a period of 3 years

To find out more call the Licensing Team on 020 8356 4931.

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Page updated: 26 Nov 2008