Agenda item

Members gave consideration to a report which updated them on the recent review of the Council’s Gambling Policy and sought their views on the suggested amendments required prior to Council approval. The policy was largely concerned with the regulation of businesses and included a section concerning gambling-related harm.

The Board was informed that the current policy was adopted in January 2016 and had to be reviewed every 3 years. The policy at Appendix 1 proposed amendments since it had last been approved. Most gambling policies issued by Councils would use the same template issued by the Local Government Association as it was based on best practice and ensured a consistent approach nationally.

The majority of alterations to the policy since the one adopted in December 2015 were tidying up changes to references from national guidance and making certain points clearer.

The Board was informed that, in setting its local policy, the Council must show how it would seek to promote the licensing objectives under the Act, which were:

·       Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime;

·       Ensuring gambling was conducted in a fair and open way; and

·       Protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The revised policy focussed a lot more on the issues of public health and harm. A section had been included in the proposed Policy in relation to gambling related harm, following a motion debated at Council on 12th July 2018. The main resolution from the Council motion was to ensure that information was displayed on the Council website to ‘signpost’ residents with a gambling ‘problem’ to the providers of relevant services, such as GambleAware, to support them with their addiction. In addition, the Council requested that all schools, colleges and youth centres in the Borough were made aware of the Gambling Toolkit produced by GambleAware, which was available online. The Council also resolved that the Council’s Gambling Policy would reflect any recommendations that resulted from the work done to achieve these outcomes by the time of its renewal in January 2019.

The Board was informed that gambling addiction was a hidden problem and figures could only be estimated, however it was likely that there were between 700-1900 problem gamblers in Oldham. It was recognised that there was work to do with regards to prevention and the service was working closely with schools.  

Members were informed that the work undertaken by Officers in licensing and public health had shown the Council’s commitment to support those who are suffering or likely to suffer from the effects of gambling, and detailed areas of help and support whilst recognising that there was a problem.

Members noted that the proposed policy would be considered by the Council on the 12^th December.

Members sought and received clarification/commented on the

following points:

·       The service offered by GambleAware in relation to financial hardship – it offered information and advice, and further signposting. There was not a local focus and the Council was looking at providing more-local information with possibly a local base. This would assist professionals in directing people towards support and would enable tailored support to be offered, with a better offer in relation to education and prevention.

·       Statistics re effect – for every problem gambler, there would be 6-10 other people affected.

·       Fixed-odds terminals – legislation was in process to reduce the maximum stake from £100 to £2, however people would still find a way to spend if they were determined to do it. The Board was informed that the industry had provided resources to assist in addressing addiction.

RESOLVED that the policy be noted and commended to the Council for approval.