Statements of gambling licensing policy

Gambling Act 2005

Under the Gambling Act 2005 Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Councils are local licensing authorities with a number of duties assigned to them.

The Act created a unified national regulator for gambling, the Gambling Commission. Under the legislation the Gambling Commission is the lead agency responsible for the administration and enforcement of the act. Its responsibilities include all remote online gambling, the licensing of operators & issuing of personal licences for commercial gambling operators, (including internet gambling) and personnel working within the industry.

Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council, as the Local Licensing authorities have a lesser role,  but are responsible for the licensing of premises used for gambling within their areas, some local low level enforcement and the issuing of gaming permits for commercial gambling, including bingo premises, betting premises, adult gaming centres, family entertainment centres and small society lotteries.

The Gambling Act contains three licensing objectives which underpin the functions that the commission and the licensing authorities perform:

• 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

The Act requires that licensing authorities publish their statements of licensing policy. These policies, along with the Gambling Commission's guidance, provides the framework for officer and member decision-making on applications for gambling premises licences under the act and outlines to applicants and current operators the councils' expectations and business' obligations. 

Adur and Worthing statements of gambling policy and principles:

• Adur District Council's Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy - 31 January 2025 (3,695KB)
• Worthing Borough Council's Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy - 31 January 2025 (2,706KB)

Adur and Worthing Community Profile:

• The latest Local Insight summary reports for the Adur District and Worthing Borough, and interactive Census data maps

You may also be interested in:

• View our public register of licences

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