The council in Hackney is asking residents and businesses for their views on gambling in the borough as part of a review.
The Council’s current Gambling Policy has been in place since 2007, and by law, the Council has to review it at least every three years.
Hackney Council says it is taking this opportunity to find out residents’ and businesses’ views on the impact the policy is having on managing gambling activity in Hackney.
This is the document that sets out the principles followed by the council when it considers applications for gambling licences.
At present, the council considers the following factors:
• Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime;
• Ensure that gambling is carried out in a fair and open way;
• Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
Since 2007 the Council’s Licensing Committee has been responsible for granting premises licences for:
• Bingo halls;
• Betting shops, including tracks (for e.g. horse or dog racing);
• Amusement arcades other permits and notices for gambling activities.
Emma Plouviez, the councillor who holds Hackney’s licensing chair position, said: “We want to hear what people think, whether they live or work in the borough. Any feedback we receive will be taken into consideration before we finalise the Gambling Policy for the next three years.”
There are currently 62 licensed gambling premises across the borough: 58 betting shops; one bingo hall and three adult gaming centres.
At present there are no casinos in Hackney and the Council has previously passed a ‘no casino’ resolution and will consider this step again in the future.
Further information is available from the Licensing Service and comments can be submitted to FREEPOST HACKNEY LICENSING SERVICE. Comments must be received by 5pm on Friday 4 September 2015.