'Gambling Protections and Control': Restriction on Betting Offices

The Government has today published its document Gambling Protections and Control which provides Local authorities with enhanced powers to control the number of betting shops opening in their area.

The document states that “as part of the Government’s broader planning reform, a smaller planning use class containing betting shops will mean that in future where it is proposed to convert a bank, building society or estate agent into a betting shop, a planning application will be required. In addition, the Government will remove the ability for other premises such as restaurants and pubs to change use to a betting shop without planning permission. All changes of use to a betting shop will therefore require planning permission in future. The Department for Communities and Local Government will consult on the detail of these proposals as part of a wider consultation on change of use in summer 2014.”

In brief, it is anticipated that this will return powers to local planning authorities and enable them to consider the planning application in accordance with their local plan.

Further, the Government intends to “ensure betting shop operators set out how they plan to comply with social responsibility codes when applying for a gambling premises licence.”

As well as the planning amendments, the Government intends to require those accessing higher stakes (over £50) to use account-based play or load cash over the counter. It is highlighted that requiring better interaction between customers and operators for those engaged in high stakes play improves opportunities for more effective provision of information and interventions. To support this measure the Government wants all larger betting shop operators to offer account based play allowing account holders to track and monitor their own play via statements and enable targeted interventions in accordance with operators’ licence conditions.

In addition to the planning changes, the Government is seeking that the industry put measures in situ to protect players at the heart of their businesses and is looking at controls on gambling advertising.

The Government has also set out plans for improved player protection measures on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) including:

• Requiring all players of FOBTs to be presented with a choice to set limits before play.
• Ensuring regular warning messages and pauses in play on gaming machines in betting shops to prompt players to actively consider their behaviour and help them to remain in control.
• Working with the Industry to oversee the introduction of an advanced system of voluntary self-exclusion. This will allow customers to make a single request to exclude themselves from betting shops on a wider basis than is currently possible.

Further measures include ensuring that controls on gambling advertising provide enough protection – especially to children and the vulnerable – and a consideration of whether a Think 25 initiative could help prevent under age access to gambling.

The full document can be viewed here: 'Gambling Protections and Controls'