Ealing Council launches consultation on 2026 gambling policy

Ealing Council has opened a public consultation the regulation of gambling. Residents, businesses and community groups can all have their say. The consultation closes on 22 March.

The topic is the draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy for 2026. It’s about how the authority will deal with applications under the Gambling Act 2005.

All local authorities in Great Britain must review and republish its licensing policy every three years. The updated draft includes how decisions will be made on applications for:

• Betting shops.
• Bingo halls.
• Adult gaming centres.
• Family entertainment centres.

Three statutory objectives

Councils must base decisions on three objectives:

1. Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder.
2. Making sure gambling is conducted in a fair and open way.
3. Protecting children and other vulnerable people from harm or exploitation.

These sit within a wider national shift. In recent months, there has been increased scrutiny of gambling harm data. There has also been an expansion of NHS treatment services and tighter expectations from the Gambling Commission. This is particularly so around local risk assessments and safeguarding.

Ealing’s draft policy reflects that direction. It places stronger emphasis on local evidence and risk mitigation.

"The last full review of the policy was in 2023, so it now needs updating.

Reviewing the policy helps us keep the licensing framework up to date. It also helps make sure that gambling in our borough is safe and well‑regulated.

Most of the policy is the same as the 2023 version. However, we have made some small changes and improved the layout to make it easier to read and understand." - Ealing Council.

148 gambling premises across the borough

There are currently 148 licensed gambling premises operating in Ealing. According to the council’s figures, this includes:

• 48 betting shops.
• 12 adult gaming centres.
• 77 alcohol-licensed premises with gaming machines.
• 11 clubs with machines.

These are heavily concentrated around town centres:

• Ealing and West Ealing - 24 premises.
• Acton – 13 premises.
• Southall – 11 premises.
• Greenford – 11 premises.
• Hanwell – 7 premises.

That clustering is likely to draw particular attention during the consultation. This is especially true given ongoing national debates about high street betting shop density and cumulative impact in more deprived areas.

Local area profile and risk-based approach

A key feature of the draft policy is a newly developed local area profile. This document is designed to identify neighbourhoods that are considered at heightened risk of gambling-related harm. It’s based on factors such as deprivation, population demographics and proximity to schools or support services.

Under the proposals, applicants would be expected to submit detailed local risk assessments showing how they will mitigate potential harm in those areas.

This mirrors a broader regulatory direction seen across England. Councils are increasingly using local area profiling to strengthen scrutiny of new premises applications. While the Gambling Act does not allow councils to reject applications on moral grounds or because an area already has “enough” betting shops, good local evidence can influence licensing conditions and mitigation requirements.

“No casino” resolution maintained

The draft also confirms that Ealing will continue its long-standing “no casino” resolution. Under the Gambling Act 2005, councils can formally decide not to allow casinos in their area. Ealing has previously adopted this position and is proposing to maintain it.

How to respond

Residents, community organisations and businesses can review the draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy and submit responses before the consultation closes on 22 March 2026.

The outcome will determine how gambling premises are regulated in the borough for the next three years. This comes at a time when national policy, local enforcement and public health concerns are firmly in the spotlight.