U.K.’s Westminster City has introduced a first-of-its-kind policy aimed at protecting the most vulnerable populations by curbing hours of operation for betting and gaming operators and creating “gambling vulnerability zones.”
The zones for the borough of London will be determined using a “data driven approach.”
The purpose of the restrictions and special zones is intended to ensure that bookmakers and casinos “operate in a way that reduces their risk of harm and wider impact on the community,” according to the City Council.
Noting that the sector contributes £4.5 billion in taxes annually, councilmember Aicha Less commented, “Betting shops, casinos and other gambling premises play a role in Westminster’s night-time economy and some venues attract thousands of tourists into the city every year.”
She added, “However, during a cost-of-living crisis, people’s budgets are being stretched more and more so using gambling as an alternative source of income is a real danger.” She added that the goal was to prevent establishments from supporting or being a source of crime.
Statistics indicate that the Westminster borough has one of the worst crime rates in the city. Less commented, “We need rules to protect the most vulnerable from gambling-related harms and to prevent gambling being a source of crime and disorder.”
The rules are subject to review by Paul Scully, the U.K. minister responsible for gambling.
