Ealing Council will seek public views on gambling
Ealing Council will soon have new powers to license gambling premises within the borough, including bingo halls, betting shops, adult gaming centres, family entertainment centres, racing tracks and casinos.
The powers have been handed down under the new Gambling Act 2005, which will take effect in stages next year, and the council is keen to hear views from all residents about how new regulations should be implemented in Ealing.
Consultation packs, including a questionnaire and the borough's draft statement of licensing policy for gambling, have been sent to 700 community and voluntary sector groups, faith groups, relevant businesses, government agencies, the police, libraries and community centres.
The consultation period began on 31 July and will run until 20 October, 2006. Once agreed, the policy is to be reviewed every three years.
Cllr Ian Potts, chairman of Ealing Council’s Regulatory Panel, said: “The council is keen to find out whether all our residents and business representatives support or object to the proposals. We want to hear a broad range of public opinion so that we strike the right balance in generating our policy document.The policy has been drafted with a strong emphasis on ensuring gambling does not lead to crime or disorder and that it is conducted in a fair and open way.
"It will ensure that - just like other types of licences - every gambling licence application in the future will be considered on its merits and, in each case, representations from the local community will be taken into account before any decision is made."
Across the country, the Act will impact on more than 2,000 amusement arcades (of all types), around 56,000 alcohol-licensed premises and 19,000 private clubs where gaming machines or gaming is available, plus 678 commercial bingo clubs, 138 casinos and 8800 betting offices. It will also have an effect on charitable fund-raising through society lotteries.
August 16, 2006
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Consultation packs can be obtained from Ealing council's website www.ealing.gov.uk or on request from Christine St Louis: 020 8825 7775 email: stlouisc@ealing.gov.uk See the view of London from Acton, Chiswick, Ealing, Hammersmith |