The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council met on Thursday 18 June 2026. The primary item on the agenda was an application for an Adult Gaming Centre by Arcadia Casino Ltd. The meeting materials indicated that there were numerous representations received regarding this application.

Application for an Adult Gaming Centre

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application from Arcadia Casino Ltd for an Adult Gaming Centre at 1 Walm Lane, NW2 5SN, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003. The report pack detailed the application, which sought to establish an Adult Gaming Centre.

Representations were noted from various interested parties, including the Licensing Officers (which were subsequently withdrawn), Councillors, Members of Parliament, Public Health officials, and local residents. The applicant, Arcadia Casino Ltd, had submitted a Local Area Risk Assessment (LARA) and detailed policies and procedures outlining how they intended to promote the licensing objectives. These included measures related to CCTV, age verification (Challenge 25), staffing levels, staff training, and procedures for handling complaints and disputes.

The applicant proposed specific conditions for the premises licence, covering areas such as CCTV installation and operation, a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, minimum staffing levels of two personnel at all times, and the installation of intruder alarms and panic buttons. They also outlined policies for staff training, incident logging, and preventing underage gambling.

A significant portion of the report pack comprised representations from various individuals and organisations, including local councillors such as Councillor Parvez Ahmed (Chair), Councillor Floyd Dias Do Rosario, Councillor Fiona Mulaisho, Councillor Saqlain Choudry, Councillor Ryan Hack, Councillor Erica Gbajumo, and Councillor Mary Mitchell. Dawn Butler MP and Krupesh Hirani AM also submitted objections. These representations raised numerous concerns, primarily focusing on:

• Overconcentration and Cumulative Impact: Many objectors highlighted the existing high number of gambling premises in the Willesden Green area, arguing that the addition of another Adult Gaming Centre would create an unacceptable cluster, leading to increased problem gambling, targeting of vulnerable individuals, and a negative impact on the high street's character.
• Crime and Disorder: Concerns were raised about the potential for increased anti-social behaviour, street drinking, drug dealing, and acquisitive crime, particularly given the area's existing crime rates and the late-night operating hours proposed.
• Protection of Children and Vulnerable Persons: Numerous representations emphasised the proximity of the proposed venue to schools, nurseries, youth centres, and areas frequented by vulnerable individuals, including those experiencing financial hardship, addiction, or mental health issues. The potential for normalising gambling among young people and exploiting vulnerable residents was a recurring theme.
• Inadequate Risk Assessment and Operator Suitability: Several objectors criticised the applicant's Local Area Risk Assessment for being generic, incomplete, and failing to adequately address the specific local risks. Concerns were also raised about Arcadia Casino Limited being a dormant company with no trading history.
• Public Health Impact: The significant cost of gambling-related harm to the borough of Brent, including impacts on mental health services and crime, was frequently cited.

The applicant's response, provided in Annex A of the report pack, addressed many of these concerns. It detailed the proposed control measures, including enhanced CCTV, a strict Challenge 25 policy, continuous staffing, and participation in multi-operator self-exclusion schemes. The applicant also provided background information on the gambling industry, highlighting regulatory frameworks and participation statistics, and argued that AGCs are a heavily regulated sector. They also noted that the Metropolitan Police had no objections to the application after certain conditions were agreed upon.

The report pack also included the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) applicable to the arcade sector, outlining the regulatory requirements for operators.