The LGA has revised and updated its councillor handbook on gambling. Many councils have significant concerns about betting shop clustering and the use of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals. While councils may not have the powers many would like in this area, there is nevertheless a range of tools they can use to shape local gambling regulation.
The comprehensive new document outlines licensing authorities' responsibilities for gambling in their areas, and summarises recent changes to the social responsibility requirements binding on gambling operators. These changes will have significant implications for both operators and licensing authorities, and are intended in part to help licensing authorities develop the localised approaches to regulation that are common under the 2003 Licensing Act, but have been less so under the Gambling Act.
