Under the Gambling Act 2005 the Secretary of State made the Order cited as the Gambling (Geographical Distribution of Large and Small Casino Premises Licences) Order 2008, naming the 16 licensing authorities that may issue large and small casino premises licences. Each of the authorities has the power to issue just one such licence.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Kingston upon Hull City Council, Leeds City Council, Middlesborough Borough Council, Milton Keynes Borough Council, Newham London Borough Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, and Southampton City Council are the eight councils awarded large casino licences.

The eight small casino licences have gone to Bath and North East Somerset District Council, East Lindsey District Council (Lincolnshire), Luton Borough Council, Scarborough Borough Council, Swansea City and County Council, Torbay Borough Council, Wigtown Divisional Licensing Board of Dumfries and Galloway Council, and Wolverhampton City Council.

Officials in Bath have launched a consultation process on the Council’s Proposed Statement of Principles regarding gambling policy in general, as required under the Gambling Act 2005. Additional criteria are outlined, which will be used by the Council to assess applications received for a small casino licence. These include general guidance and specific requirements that will be taken into account when judging the merits of applications.

The Council says it wishes to capture, harness and maximise the economic benefits of a casino in the public interest. The guidance aims to advise applicants on how to secure positive impacts for economic, physical and social regeneration from a casino and how to mitigate and minimise any adverse or negative social impact. Each applicant will have to research the physical, social and economic issues in Bath and develop the casino in a way which addresses local problems and opportunities.

All applicants are required to address the Council’s five key aims when considering their applications. These are: Developing safer and stronger communities; Building prosperous communities; Creating healthy and vibrant communities; Creating quality environments; and Improving the Council. Key priorities in relation to casino development are: Reducing crime and disorder; Reducing the incidence of nuisance behaviour; Encouraging economic growth and job creation; Marketing the city and improving its image; and Addressing the social and economic needs of disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

Bath Council favours the urban area of the town of Bath for the location of the new casino and has identified areas that would offer a greater variety of leisure pursuits and increase the importance of the evening economy. The selection of the site and design should have regard to the location of listed buildings, conservation areas and key views across the town. Bath is one of the few entire cities in Europe to be designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Applicants will be required to detail mechanisms for identifying problem gamblers and restricting their access to the casino. The priorities are: a permanent fund or programme of practical assistance for problem gambling for local residents; a separate area/room to allow customers to familiarise themselves with the rules of the games, how they operate and the dangers of excessive gambling; and responsible marketing/refuge advertising and promotional campaigns.

All consultation responses received by 31 August 2009 will be presented to the Council's licensing committee and the revised policy will be presented to a full Council meeting in November for approval. Following this, applications will be invited in due course for the one available casino licence. The Licensing Authority is only responsible for the premises licence. Operating and personal licences are the responsibility of the Gambling Commission. (E-06.24.09)

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