The Licensing Committee of Lewes District Council will consider the minutes of its previous meeting, which was held on 29 February 2024, and will also consider a report on the Council's statement of gambling principles.

Lewes District Council Statement of Gambling Principles 2025-2028

A report by Rob Cottrill, Chief Executive of Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils, sets out for discussion a new draft of the Lewes District Council Statement of Gambling Principles for 2025 – 2028. The report, which has been prepared with input from Sussex Police Service, East Sussex County Council, East Sussex HealthCare NHS Trust, the Gambling Commission, Plumpton Racecourse, the Racecourse Association, the Bingo Association and GamCare, among others, recommends that the committee approves a six-week consultation on the draft.

The report explains that:

It is a requirement to regularly review the Council’s Statement of Gambling Principles. The current Statement took effect in 2022 and is therefore due for review.

The document also lays out the principles that the council will apply when making decisions on applications for gambling licences, saying that decisions:

should aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as [the Council] think[s] it: • in accordance with any relevant code of practice issued by the Gambling Commission; • in accordance with any relevant guidance issued by the Gambling Commission; • reasonably consistent with the licensing objectives; and • in accordance with the authority’s statement of licensing policy.

The document lays out the council's intended approach to licensing a range of different gambling establishments.

Adult Gaming Centres

The statement describes how the council will approach applications for licences for Adult Gaming Centres, placing an emphasis on:

the need to protect children and vulnerable persons from harm or being exploited by gambling.

The council says it:

may consider measures to meet the licensing objectives such as: • Proof of age schemes • CCTV • Supervision of entrances / machine areas • Physical separation of areas • Location of entry • Notices / signage • Specific opening hours • Self-exclusion schemes • Provision of information leaflets/helpline numbers for organisations such as GamCare.

(Licensed) Family Entertainment Centres

Similarly to the approach to Adult Gaming Centres, the council's draft statement of gambling principles emphasises the need to protect children from harm. It explains that:

children and young people are allowed into bingo premises; however, they are not permitted to participate in the bingo and if category B or C machines [gaming machines with a maximum stake of between £1 and £5] are made available for use these must be separated from areas where children and young people are allowed.

The statement explains that the council may consider employing similar measures to those set out for Adult Gaming Centres to achieve this.

Casinos

The document sets out the council's policy on Casinos, noting that no no casino resolution is in place in the district, meaning that applications for casinos will be considered in the same way as other applications for gambling licences.

Bingo

The document notes that:

Children and young people are allowed into bingo premises; however, they are not permitted to participate in the bingo and if category B or C machines are made available for use these must be separated from areas where children and young people are allowed.

Betting Premises

The statement explains the council's view of betting shops, saying that it:

will, as per the Gambling Commission's Guidance, take into account the size of the premises, the number of counter positions available for person-to-person transactions, and the ability of staff to monitor the use of the machines by children and young persons (it is an offence for those under 18 to bet) or by vulnerable people, when considering the number/nature/circumstances of betting machines an operator wants to offer.

Tracks

The document considers Tracks, such as Plumpton Racecourse, which it explains:

may be subject to one or more than one premises licence, provided each licence relates to a specified area of the track.

It explains that the council will pay particular attention to the risks posed to children by gambling at tracks.

The statement lays out in detail the council's approach to considering applications for, and the potential review of, a range of different gambling licences, and makes clear that these issues, and the issues raised by the responses to the consultation will be discussed in further meetings.