Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Policy consultation 2024
This consultation has now closed
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.
See our draft Gambling Act 2005 policy:
WODC Draft Gambling Act Policy 2025 to 2028 - pdf - 618 Kb
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.