The Shetland Licensing Board has recently given the green light to a 12-week consultation period for its gambling policy. This decision, reached during a meeting at Lerwick Town Hall, enables council members to set the terms and conditions for the consultation.
Extended Consultation Period
The consultation will remain open until December 25, affording residents and stakeholders ample time to express their views and concerns. While officials initially recommended retaining the existing gambling policy without alterations, the consultation seeks to gather community feedback on potential concerns. This inclusive approach allows for a comprehensive review of the current policy’s impact on various stakeholders.
Overdue Policy Review
The licensing board acknowledged that the policy review had been overdue by over a year, emphasizing the need to revisit and refine gambling regulations.
Gambling in Shetland’s Focus
Shetland’s relationship with gambling was previously brought into focus in 2019 when the licensing board adopted its current Statement of Gambling Licensing Principles, providing guidance to potential applicants to ensure legal compliance for a three-year period. During this revision, a new clause was added, requiring gambling premises license applicants to establish policies for identifying and supporting “vulnerable” individuals. This addition aimed to address concerns about gambling issues, particularly related to online gambling, which some believe might be a hidden problem in the region.
Current Gambling Landscape
Lerwick, the largest town in the Shetland Islands, currently has only one licensed gambling premises, Shetland Turf Accountants. Shetland’s gambling landscape extends beyond licensed gambling premises to encompass gaming machine permits, club gaming permits, and numerous small society lotteries.
The 12-week consultation period marks a significant step towards ensuring responsible and regulated gambling practices in Shetland.