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Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Policy consultation 2024

West Oxfordshire District Council is required under the Gambling Act 2005 to review its gambling licensing policy every three years to ensure that we are carrying out licensing functions in accordance with current legislation.

The Gambling Act 2005 outlines how gambling can be legally provided. It is based on three licensing objectives which must be promoted by anyone involved in providing gambling. We must consider the impact on these objectives before granting gambling licences. In summary, these objectives are:

  • Preventing crime
  • Ensuring fair and open gambling
  • Protecting children and vulnerable people.

What this means

Licensing authorities must have regard to their statement when carrying out their functions. The statement cannot create new requirements for applicants outside of the act and cannot override the right of any person to make an application, make representation or seek a review of a licence under the act.

What the policy covers

As a licensing authority, the objectives that the gambling policy must adhere to are:

  • Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and 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.

The objective of the statement of policy is to provide a vision for the local area and a statement of intent that guide practice.

How to comment on the draft statement

See our draft Gambling Act 2005 policy:

PDF Icon WODC Draft Gambling Act Policy 2025 to 2028 - pdf - 618 Kb

The consultation will run from Monday 30 September 2024. The closing date for comments is 12 midnight on Friday 8 November 2024.

All comments must be in writing and sent by email to: ers@publicagroup.uk or in writing to:

Licensing
Environmental and Regulatory Services
West Oxfordshire District Council
Council Offices
Witney, OX28 1NB

What happens after the consultation period

All responses will be considered prior to the adoption of the final statement.

Following this, the final statement that has been adopted will be published on the council’s website.

© West Oxfordshire District Council 2024