The Licensing Committee of Wandsworth Council was scheduled to meet on Monday 16 February 2026 to discuss proposed changes to gambling fees for the upcoming financial year. The committee's agenda also included the confirmation of minutes from a previous meeting and the declaration of any interests by members.

Gambling Fees and Charges 2026/27

A joint report from the Executive Director of Resident Services and the Executive Director of Finance was scheduled to be presented, outlining proposed fees for premises licences under the Gambling Act 2005. The report detailed that the Gambling Act 2005, which came into effect on 1 September 2007, designated local authorities as licensing authorities for gambling activities. The Secretary of State has the power to set regulations for these fees, with licensing authorities determining specific charges subject to maximum prescribed amounts. These maximum fees vary depending on the type of gambling activity, such as bingo halls, adult gaming centres, and casinos.

The report indicated that fees for permits and registrations are set by regulation, leaving licensing authorities with no discretion. A key principle for setting premises licence fees is to ensure that income from these fees equates to the cost of providing the related service, with income from the Gambling Act 2005 not permitted to subsidise other services. The Executive Director of Finance noted that gambling fee levels are guided by statute, and the council currently sets most fees at the maximum level to recover costs.

The report recommended that the Licensing Committee approve the licence fees for applications under the Gambling Act 2005, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report 26-55 - Appendix 1.pdf, to take effect from 1 April 2026.

The report also provided an overview of the number of premises licensed under the Gambling Act 2005. It noted a decrease in betting shops from 57 in 2007 to 27 as of 28 January 2026, with an expectation of further reduction due to a shift towards online betting. The number of Adult Gaming Centres had fallen from 11 in 2007 to 3, while the number of bingo premises had increased from one in 2019 to five. The total income received from gambling licences was approximately £40,000 per annum, though this figure reduced to £4,400 in 2023/24 due to the impact of Covid-19 on high street businesses.

The report included details on various types of licences and permits, such as those for bingo, adult gaming centres, and family entertainment centres, along with proposed fees for 2026/27. It also outlined statutory fees for permits and registrations, including those for family entertainment centres, prize gaming, and club gaming or machine permits.

The meeting was scheduled to be held in Room 123 at The Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street, London SW18 2PU. A live webcast of the meeting was available.