Gambling Policy

This licensing authority is aware that tracks may be subject to one or more than one premises licence, provided each licence relates to a specified area of the track. This licensing authority will especially consider the impact upon the third licensing objective (i.e. the protection of children and vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling) and the need to ensure that entrances to each type of premises are distinct and that children are excluded from gambling areas where they are not permitted to enter.

This authority will therefore expect the premises licence applicant to demonstrate suitable measures to ensure that children do not have access to adult only gaming facilities. It is noted that children and young persons will be permitted to enter track areas where facilities for betting are provided on days when dog-racing and/or horse racing takes place, but that they are still prevented from entering areas where gaming machines (other than category D machines) are provided.

This licensing authority may consider measures to meet the licensing objectives such as:

• proof of age schemes
• CCTV
• supervision of entrances or machine areas
• physical separation of areas
• location of entry
• notices or signage
• specific opening hours
• self-exclusion schemes
• provision of information leaflets or helpline numbers for organisations such as GamCare

This list is not mandatory, nor exhaustive, and is merely indicative of example measures.

Gaming machines

Where the applicant holds a pool betting operating licence and is going to use the entitlement to four gaming machines, machines (other than category D machines) should be located in areas from which children are excluded.

Betting machines

This licensing authority will, as per the Gambling Commission's Guidance, take into account the size of the premises and the ability of staff to monitor the use of the machines by children and young persons (it is an offence for those under 18 to bet) or by vulnerable people, when considering the number, nature or circumstances of betting machines an operator proposes to offer.

Applications and plans

The Gambling Act (s151) requires applicants to submit plans of the premises with their application, in order to ensure that the licensing authority has the necessary information to make an informed judgement about whether the premises are fit for gambling. The plan will also be used for the licensing authority to plan future premises inspection activity. (See Guidance to Licensing Authorities).

Plans for tracks do not need to be in a particular scale, but should be drawn to scale and should be sufficiently detailed to include the information required by regulations. (See Guidance to Licensing Authorities).

This authority appreciates that it is sometimes difficult to define the precise location of betting areas on tracks. The precise location of where betting facilities are provided is not required to be shown on track plans, both by virtue of the fact that betting is permitted anywhere on the premises and because of the difficulties associated with pinpointing exact locations for some types of track.

The Licensing authority will need to be satisfied that the plan provides sufficient information to enable them to assess the application. (see Guidance to Licensing authorities para 20.46)