The Licensing Committee of Lambeth Council was scheduled to discuss and potentially approve the draft Statement of Gambling Principles for 2025-2028. This policy outlines how the council will exercise its responsibilities under the Gambling Act 2005, with a particular focus on mitigating gambling-related harms within the borough.

Lambeth Statement of Principles for Gambling 2025-2028

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the proposed new 'Gambling Policy' for Lambeth, covering the period 2025-2028. This policy is a statutory requirement under the Gambling Act 2005¹ and defines how the council will administer its licensing functions related to gambling. The report pack indicated that the existing policy, in place from 2022-2025, was due to expire.

Key proposed changes and areas for discussion within the draft policy include:

• Updated Age Verification: New rules from the Gambling Commission, effective from August 2024, require land-based gambling premises to check the ages of customers who appear under 25 (previously under 21) and to undertake test purchasing. These requirements are incorporated into the updated policy.
• Vulnerable Persons Definition: The definition of vulnerable persons has been updated to include shift workers, late-night/early gamblers, young adults, individuals with mental health conditions, and those experiencing debt or homelessness. Applicants will need to demonstrate how they will contribute to protecting these groups from harmful gambling cycles.
• Gambling Vulnerability Zones and Clusters: The Local Area Profile has been updated, reflecting ward boundary changes and revised analysis. This has led to an update in the identified Gambling Vulnerability Zones and Cluster Areas for the borough. The number of identified gambling clusters has reduced from seven to five.
• Public Health Data: New public health data concerning gambling-related harms has been incorporated into the draft policy, providing further context on local risks and potential impacts.
• Metropolitan Police Guidance: The policy includes pointers from the Metropolitan Police Service for applicants and existing premises on effective management and crime prevention.
• 'No Casino' Resolution: The council is considering whether to retain its existing resolution under Section 166 of the Gambling Act 2005, which currently prevents the Licensing Authority from considering any applications for a casino premises licence within the borough. The report noted that there are currently no casinos in Lambeth. Removing this resolution would not automatically permit a casino to open due to national licensing limits under Section 175 of the Act.
• Risk Assessment Templates: New appendices include suggested risk assessment templates for existing licence holders and applicants, designed to help them identify and address local risks to the licensing objectives.
• Consultation Process: The report outlined a proposed five-week online public consultation period for the draft policy, running from 1 November to 5 December 2025. Following this, a further report would be presented to the Licensing Committee, Equity & Justice Board, and Cabinet in December 2025, detailing the consultation findings and any proposed amendments.

The report also detailed the legal and democratic framework surrounding the policy's development, including consultation requirements, the Equality Act 2010², and community safety duties under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998³. The timetable for implementation indicated that the new policy would take effect in February 2026, following approval by Full Council in January 2026.