Gambling

We work with the Gambling Commission and licence gambling premises in the district as well as issuing permits in relation to gaming machines and other forms of gambling. The Commission is responsible for granting operating and personal licences for gambling operators and personnel working in the gambling industry.

Any person or business that wishes to operate a gambling business in East Lindsey such as a betting shop or amusement arcade, must first apply for an operating licence and any relevant personal licences from the Gambling Commission. After this they can then apply to us for a premises licence.

Small Casino Premises Licence

We have been granted the right to issue a Small Casino Premises Licence. We expect those who wish to operate the casino facility to support their application with evidence of how best such a development would meet the regeneration needs of the East Lindsey District. In due course the Council will be inviting applications for the small casino premises licence. Further information in relation to small casino premises licence can be found in the Council's Gambling Policy.

Statement of Principles (Gambling Policy)

We have published a Statement of Licensing Policy in relation to gambling licensing. The Policy has been adopted following consultation with a wide range of people including representatives of existing premises licence holders. The current version of the Gambling Policy came into force on 04 January 2022.

The policy is intended to guide decision makers, applicants, objectors and others regarding the decision making process. It also states how the Authority will work to fulfil the licensing objectives.

By following the link, under Related Documents, on this web page you can download the current Statement of Principles (Gambling Policy).

Review of Statement of Principles (Gambling Policy)

We are now consulting on a full review of our Gambling Policy (Statement of Licensing Principles). We must legally undertake a review of the policy at the end of each three-year period. The review is open to public consultation.

This Authority's current policy took effect in January 2022 and so the required review process must be completed by the end of 2024 - with the updated policy to come into effect in January 2025.

Our experience since the previous policy review has shown that there is nothing of significance that currently needs changing in our current policy document. With this in mind, we are proposing not to make any changes to the policy document - apart from the small change detailed below.

The current policy document includes a summary of the number of gambling licences and permits that were in force in September 2021. This section of the policy will need to be updated in order to reflect the current number of licences and permits.

A copy of the current policy document can be found under Related Documents on this webpage.

If you wish to make any comments on any part of the current policy document or the proposal not to amend the current policy, please let the Licensing Team have those comments by 02 September 2024 at the latest. We would prefer comments by email to:

licensing@e-lindsey.gov.uk

Please mark any emailed response with the title 'Gambling Policy Consultation 2024'.

Gambling Premises Licence Reviews

A Responsible Authority (e.g. Lincolnshire Police) or an interested party may make an application for the review of a gambling premises licence that is in force. As the Licensing Authority we can also initiate a review of a licence, without the need for representations having been made to us. This will be on the basis of where we suspect that the licence conditions are not being complied with, or for other reasons where we believe a review is appropriate.

A Responsible Authority (e.g. Lincolnshire Police) or an interested party may make an application for the review of a gambling premises licence that is in force. As the Licensing Authority we can also initiate a review of a licence, without the need for representations having been made to us. This will be on the basis of where we suspect that the licence conditions are not being complied with, or for other reasons where we believe a review is appropriate.

By following the link on this web page you can view the details of both current and recent licence reviews.

Gambling Premises Licences - Local Risk Assessments

It is a requirement of the Gambling Commission's Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) for licensees to assess the local risks to the licensing objectives posed by the provision of gambling facilities at their premises and have policies, procedures and control measures to mitigate those risks.

In making risk assessments, licensees must take into account relevant matters identified in this Authority's Gambling Policy document. The document can be found under Related Documents on this webpage.

The LCCP goes on to say licensees must review (and update as necessary) their local risk assessments:

• to take account of significant changes in local circumstance, including those identified in the Council's gambling policy;
• when there are significant changes at a licensee's premises that may affect their mitigation of local risks;
• when applying for a variation of a premises licence.
• In addition, operators must undertake a local risk assessment when applying for a new premises licence.

The Local Risk Assessment should indicate the provision of gambling facilities at each individual premises, and set out the policies, procedures and control measures that the operator has in place to mitigate those risks.

This Authority will expect that the manager of the gambling premises in question (and wherever possible the local staff) are involved in the formulation of the local risk assessment. It is also expected that a copy of the finalised local risk assessment will kept at the gambling premises in question and be made available to staff (and inspecting officers) at all times.

The local risk assessment should show how vulnerable people, including people with gambling dependencies, are protected.

Gambling Licensing Public Register

Our Gambling Licensing Public Register can be found here:

Gambling Licensing Public Register