1.31. The statement of licensing policy is a very important part of the architecture of local gambling regulation, and it is expected that licensing authorities will use it to set out the local issues, priorities and risks that inform and underpin its approach to local regulation.

1.32. It provides the opportunity for licensing authorities to agree and set out how gambling is to be managed in different parts of the local authority area to deal with local concerns and issues. It provides clarity of expectation for licensees and prospective licensees about how their businesses are likely to be treated in different localities. The existence of a clear and agreed policy statement will provide greater scope for licensing authorities to work in partnership with local businesses, communities, and responsible authorities to identify and mitigate local risks to the licensing objectives.

1.33. The policy statement is the primary vehicle for setting out the licensing authority’s approach to regulation having taken into account local circumstances. It ensures that operators have sufficient awareness and understanding of the relevant licensing authority’s requirements and approach, including its’ view on local risks, to help them comply with local gambling regulation.

1.34. More detail on licensing authorities’ statement of licensing policy is set out at Part 6 of this guidance.

Previous section
Local risk assessments Next section
Limits on licensing authority discretion

Last updated: 14 September 2023

Show updates to this content

Formatting changes.

Cookies on the Gambling Commission website

Guidance to licensing authorities

Contents

10 - Licensing authority policy statement

Feedback

Complaints and queries

User research