Gambling Commission consults on changes to guidance to local authorities

The Gambling Commission has launched a consultation on proposed changes to its guidance to local authorities.

This has been updated to include legislative changes since the 2012 version was issued.

It also reflects changes in partnership working between licensing authorities and local gambling operators and seeks to provide greater clarity about the powers of licensing authorities to manage local gambling regulation.

The proposed fifth edition of the commission’s guidance stresses the benefits of partnership working and a coordinated response to local issues and sets out the extent of local authorities’ discretion.

Commission chair Philip Graf said: “The revised guidance emphasises the critical role of each local licensing authority’s statement of licensing policy. This forms the mandate for licensing authorities to manage local gambling provision in a way that makes sense to their local communities and businesses.”

The consultation runs until 22 June.

Mark Smulian