Local government leaders and police commissioners have joined forces to ask the government to give local councils tougher powers over gaming legislation in the United Kingdom. 

Stricter Regulations 

The Local Government Association and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners are urging councils to strengthen their authority over where and how many gaming establishments can open in their regions, as well as a crackdown on gambling advertising and marketing.

Joy Allen and David Sidgwick, joint leads for addictions and substance misuse at the APCC, highlighted that they are aware that significant crimes are committed to supporting gambling addictions and that police and crime commissioners are committed to taking action to make their communities safer. Additionally, they support proposals for councils to have greater legal flexibility and authority over local gaming establishments, and they want to see steps to address online casino and sports betting problems.

They recognize that problem gambling can cause significant harm to both individuals and society, and they want to guarantee that support is provided to those afflicted and that the business is held accountable when it acts recklessly. Prior to the publication of the government’s white paper on the Gambling Act review, the LGA is calling for greater legal flexibility and authority for councils to approve or reject applications for local gambling premises based on local circumstances, taking into account the interests of the local economy, community impact, and resident views. Additionally, the pair is pressing the government to impose an obligatory, statutory fee on gambling companies and enact steps to curb promotion and marketing.

Protection from Gambling Harm

While councils are not anti-gaming, it is past time for a gambling regulatory system that prioritizes safeguarding vulnerable people from gambling-related harm and devolves authority to local communities. The government should take steps to restrict the amount of advertising and marketing offerings made available on television and online on a regular basis. The study presents the government with an excellent opportunity to enact further measures that empower local communities and their elected representatives to select the type and number of gambling establishments in their communities. It is intolerable that authorities have such limited authority to deny new premises applications.