Licensing - Scotland
Request
I’d like you to provide answers to the following questions please. All questions refer to Scotland;
- How many premises with gambling licenses in Scotland currently?
- How many inspections of premises with gambling licenses were carried out in Scotland in 2019?
- How many inspections of premises with gambling licenses were carried out in Scotland in 2022?
- How many instances of test purchases (to prevent access by under 18s) were carried out in Scotland in 2019?
- How many instances of test purchases (to prevent access by under 18s) were carried out in Scotland in 2022?
- How many premises with gambling licenses breached regulations in 2019?
- How many premises with gambling licenses breached regulations in 2022?
Response
Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
Firstly, it should be noted that the licensing of premises for gambling businesses is the responsibility of local licensing authorities (normally the Local Authority for the area where the business is located).
We maintain a national register of premises licences for gambling. This data is provided to us by licensing authorities. Consequently, whilst we make every effort to assure the data, it may contain errors, duplications or there may be omissions.
For accurate premises information, you should contact the relevant Local Authority, as they maintain an accurate and up-to-date register for their local area.
The Gambling Commissions responses to your enquiries are as follows:
- How many premises with gambling licenses in Scotland currently?
Based on a download of the premises register on 03/03/2023, there are currently 868 licensed premises in Scotland.
- How many inspections of premises with gambling licenses were carried out in Scotland in 2019?
In 2019, there were 33 visits to licensed premises in Scotland.
- How many inspections of premises with gambling licenses were carried out in Scotland in 2022?
In 2022, there were 16 visits to licensed premises in Scotland.
- How many instances of test purchases (to prevent access by under 18s) were carried out in Scotland in 2019?
- How many instances of test purchases (to prevent access by under 18s) were carried out in Scotland in 2022?
- How many premises with gambling licenses breached regulations in 2019?
- How many premises with gambling licenses breached regulations in 2022?
We cannot provide data for instances of test purchasing and number of premises breaching regulations. Both of these are recorded at an operator level and not at a premises level. A such, so we cannot split out how many relate to Scotland only.
Review of the decision
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your Freedom of Information request you are entitled to an internal review of our decision. You should write to FOI Team, Gambling Commission, 4th floor, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B2 4BP or by reply to this email.
Please note, internal review requests should be made within 40 working days of the initial response. Requests made outside this timeframe will not be processed.
If you are not content with the outcome of our review, you may then apply directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have already exhausted the review procedure provided by the Gambling Commission.
The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office (opens in a new tab), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Information Management Team
Gambling Commission
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham B2 4BP