A Bill That Would Give UK Governments Authority Over Gambling Licensure Advances

Local Governments would be able to perform Gambling Impact Assessments under Amendment 305.

United Kingdom – The House of Lords has approved a third reading of the legislation that would give governments more control over licensure decisions for online gambling establishments. At this point, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will move to a final review and approval from the Royal House. Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government, had earlier approved several changes during the reporting stage. Amendment 305, which would include the idea of Gambling Impact Assessments (GIAs) in the Gambling Act 2005, is the most significant bill in the UK for the gambling industry.

Licensure Process

This would break from the Act’s “aim to permit” method, which includes that license applications for bookies or gaming halls should normally be granted unless local authorities can provide full evidence, such as increased gambling risks, to support a denial. If an application is denied without supporting documentation, the decision could be reconsidered.

GIAs, however, will change that by allowing local governments to identify certain locations where the opening of new iGaming establishments would be considered damaging because of the long-term consequences or evidence of local harm. Before the approval, applicants in these areas will have to prove that they are in strict adherence to the licensing requirements and objectives.

Inside the Amendment

“This would amend the Gambling Act 2005 to allow licensing authorities to adopt, and act in accordance with, policies aimed at preventing the grant of gambling licenses in order to (a) the cumulative impact of multiple gambling premises or (b) other reasons relating to the licensing objectives in the Act”, the Legislation reads. However, Councils would not be able to completely outlaw the gambling establishments from specific locations under the proposed legislation. Rejections still can be challenged by the applicants, and if they can show that they are in line with the licensure goals, they could be reversed. This way, the foundation for permitting is still in order, but Amendment 305 would eliminate the assumption in specific areas of concern.

Growing Concern

Due to complaints about a large number of gambling establishments in the UK, local officials have been advocating for such flexibility for quite some time. In the past, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to grant councils more authority. But for the first time, the bill needs to go back to the Commons House of Councillors, where lawmakers still have an option to reject Amendment 305.

Source: Hansard.Parliament.uk

A Bill That Would Give UK Governments Authority Over Gambling Licensure Advances

Licensure Process

Inside the Amendment

Growing Concern

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