The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has invited industry stakeholders and members of the public to have their say in a new consultation about where gaming machines can be played.
The Commission considers that the current licence conditions and codes of practice and the accompanying guidance to licensing authorities are in need of revision in order to ensure that the following underlying policy objectives which seek to minimise gambling related harm are achieved:
- with very few low-risk exceptions, gambling should be confined to dedicated gambling premises ie casino, betting or bingo premises
- distinctions between different types of licensed gambling premises are maintained
- gambling activities are supervised appropriately
- within bingo, betting and casino premises gaming machines must only be made available in combination with the non-remote gambling facilities named on the operating licence.
The consultation Controlling where gaming machines may be played sets out why this area remains a policy priority for the Commission and also proposes how we feel we can embed the above policy objectives consistently across the industry whilst ensuring that regulation remains proportionate to the risks to the licensing objectives.