Haringey calls for greater protection against gambling harm

Residents will have the opportunity to have their say over changes to policy that protects vulnerable residents from the dangers of gambling.

Haringey Council is proposing to launch a 10-week public consultation on the new Statement of Gambling Policy that sets out our approach to gambling and aims to provide a greater protection against harm or exploitation for children and vulnerable people within the borough. 

Gambling has the potential to cause harm to both individuals and wider society, resulting in unemployment, debt, crime, relationship problems and physical or mental health conditions. 

In response to problem gambling, which is estimated to cost the UK economy up to £1.2 billion, the Government imposed the Gambling Act 2005 with the objectives of: 

• 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, and
• protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The council uses our own Local Area Profile to inform licence applicants of the demographic of the area to ensure they carry out a risk assessment that incorporates the needs and concerns of the local community. 

With certain groups, including ethnic minorities, young people and homeless people, more at risk from the perils of gambling, the council is asking for a change in policy that is more representative of the concerns of our residents.

The new policy also addresses concerns with the rise in the number of Adult Gaming Centres within the borough, which feature gaming machines only available to over 18s within a high-street outlet. 

The policy changes provides a robust approach to regulating gambling and sets out our expectations from betting operators in providing adequate mitigation to protect vulnerable residents. 

Cllr John Bevan, Cabinet Member for Planning, Licensing and Housing Services said “In order to protect and support our residents, it is important that we take careful consideration of factors that may be of risk to the vulnerable members of our communities. 

“By putting forward a more comprehensive policy, we can help prevent gambling harm that will see less residents fall victim to the damaging effects that it brings. This will enable us to better serve our local communities, by reflecting the area and the risks within it.

“We are therefore keen for residents to have their say and express their views on the new policy and the council’s approach to gambling.”

Having been agreed by the council’s cabinet on Tuesday night, the 10-week consultation will then be available to local residents with a further report presented at Full Council in November 2021.