Southport people’s views required on its scheduled revised Gambling Policy

Sefton Council wants to hear local residents’ views on its revised Gambling Policy which will come into operation next year.

The local authority is responsible for regulating gambling and gaming premises and activities, including casinos, bingo premises, betting shops and gaming machine arcades across the borough.

Under regulations, Sefton Council is required to publish a policy statement which forms the basis for deciding any applications submitted.

An initial statement was written but the authority is now consulting on a revision to its existing policy and is asking people to give their views and opinions by July 5, 2015.

The Gambling Act 2005, as introduced by Government, has three objectives:

• Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime
• Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
• Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

David Packard, Sefton Council’s Head of Environment, said: “We are consulting with operators and businesses in the gambling trade and also want the views of local residents.

“Any opinions on the gambling trade and how we can meet the Gambling Act objectives are welcome and people can write to us, email or fax details to us.

“The draft revised Gambling Policy is currently available in local libraries throughout the borough and on the Sefton Council website.”

People can register their views in writing to: Senior Licensing Officer, The Licensing Unit, Magdalen House, 30 Trinity Road, Bootle, L20 3NJ or email licensing@sefton.gov.uk

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