Stricter gambling rules proposed in West Sussex

Stricter gambling regulations have been proposed by two West Sussex councils

Measures set to be introduced by Adur and Worthing councils include introducing Challenge 25 at gambling premises and banning credit facilities in casinos and bingo halls.

Policies were approved at licensing committee meetings of the two councils on November 11 and November 25 respectively, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

All the changes are a result of new guidelines announced by the Gambling Commission in May this year, which are scheduled to come into effect by February 2025.

The changes also include allowing the council to do ‘covert’ test purchasing, making sure adult gambling premises are not allowing people under 18.

ATMs will still be allowed in gambling premises, although the council can tell the premises where to put them.

Following a consultation on the new policy, charity GamCare welcomed the council’s going "beyond the mandatory and default conditions" of the Gambling Act 2005.

GamCare also said the councils could go further: “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.”

Adur District Council's policy includes training premises staff in "brief intervention when customers show signs of excessive gambling and addiction".

The new policy also states that according to a recent Public Health England report on gambling, 0.5% of the population are problem gamblers, with 3.8% at risk of becoming problem gamblers.

Final approval for the new policy will need to be given by Adur and Worthing full councils, which will next meet on December 19 and 17 respectively.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook on X and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.