Challenge 25 Coming to Gambling Premises In West Sussex
Councils in West Sussex are looking to put through changes to gambling regulations. Adur and Worthing councils are proposing banning credit facilities in casinos and bingo halls, along with other measures.
Bingo halls are included in proposed stricter gambling regulations in West Sussex © Gabriella-Motta, Pixabay
Bingo Halls and Casinos Among Affected Operators
The two councils in West Sussex have held licensing committee meetings in November, where the proposals were discussed by elected representatives.
It was reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service that Challenge 25 will be brought in at gambling premises in both areas.
Challenge 25 is a retailing strategy in the UK that encourages people who are aged over 18 but may look under 25 to carry an acceptable form of ID such as a passport or driving licence.
Proposals outlined by Adur and Worthing councils come after the Gambling Commission, which is the UK’s regulatory body, confirmed changes to the rules will come into force early next year.
In February, the Gambling Commission will ban gambling facilities from offering their customers credit facilities. Credit cards are already banned from online gambling in the UK.
Could Councils Go Further?
Changes being put forward will continue to allow cash machines to be included in gambling facilities in West Sussex.
However, councils will have the power to instruct the premises on the ATM locations.
GamCare, which is the UK’s biggest charity combating gambling-related harms, backs the new proposals but suggested they could go further.
It praised Adur and Worthing councils for going “beyond the mandatory and default conditions” of the Gambling Act 2005.
GamCare added: “This commitment should include training frontline and primary care staff to recognise the signs of gambling harm and develop referral pathways to the National Gambling Helpline or local treatment providers.”
Training And Testing
Adur District Council’s proposals include training local gambling premises staff in “brief intervention when customers show signs of excessive gambling and addiction”.
Public Health England data shows that 0.5% of the population are problem gamblers, with a further 3.8% at risk.Adur and Worthing councils will next discuss the proposed gambling regulation changes in their areas on December 17 and 19 respectively.
If the proposals pass, the councils will be able to perform ‘covert’ test purchasing, which would ensure that adult gambling premises are not allowing people under 18.
