Agenda item - Gambling Act Revised Local Area Profile 2019 and Recent Gambling Update

Report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing (copy attached)

RESOLVED – (1)That the committee notes the contents of this report; and

(2) That officers should continue to monitor trends of applications and illegal activity to inform future policy.

8.1       The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing which highlighted the recent revised Local Area Profile (LAP) and gave an update on recent gambling developments.

8.2       The Regulatory Services Manager referred to the following legislative changes at national level:

·         FOBT (Fixed Odds Betting Terminal) stake cuts regulations published - The Gaming Machine (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocation) Regulations 2018 were made on 20 December 2018 and came into force on 1 April 2019.

At local level:

·         The Gambling Policy 2019 – 20121 had been published;

·         The Local Area Profile had been put together;

·         The Risk Rate Inspection Scheme was in place;

·         Test Purchases had continued;

·         A Gambling/Public Health round table meeting had taken place on 19 June 2019

8.3       Councillor Atkinson stated that it was very disappointing to note the 70% failure rate on age restricted machines across the city. The measures taken to address this problem were welcomed.

8.4       Councillor Brown concurred with Councillor Atkinson stating that whilst disappointing she was unsurprised by the scale of the problem.

8.5       Councillor Appich referred to issues in respect of on-line gaming and the Regulatory Services Manager stated that it was very difficult to know the potential scale of the problem or deal with it effectively as it did not fall under the control of the local licensing authority. There had been a lot of media coverage and interest, however, and discussions were taking place at government level to determine measures which could be put in place.

8.6       Councillor Janio stated that issues by government to address the issues around gambling for instance reduction in the level of stakes that could laid on fixed-odds machines were welcome. He noted the information detailed regarding the follow-up arrangements in place when there had been failed test purchases for example and was pleased to note that this would be subject to on-going monitoring which fell under this committees’ responsibilities.

8.7       RESOLVED – (1) That the committee notes the contents of this report; and

(2) That officers should continue to monitor trends of applications and illegal activity to inform future policy.