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Written question asked by Gareth Bacon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Ian Murray (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Gambling: Licensing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not holding a public consultation specifically on the presumption of refusal for new gambling premises licences on local residents.

Answer

Gambling Impact Assessments (GIAs) have now been introduced in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, delivering on a commitment made in the 2023 gambling white paper. The gambling white paper followed a public call for evidence which received over 15,000 responses.

GIAs, formerly referred to as Cumulative Impact Assessments, will allow local authorities to create a presumption against granting new gambling premises licences in a specific area, where there is evidence that additional premises would undermine the gambling licensing objectives. The legislation requires that before publishing a GIA, licensing authorities must consult the persons mentioned in Section 349(3) of the Gambling Act 2005. This includes persons who represent the interests of those likely to be affected by the exercise of the authority’s functions, and persons who represent the interests of gambling businesses in the area.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
6023
Session
2026-27
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Licensing Gambling Public consultation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk