Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance will be issued to local licensing authorities on the application of gambling impact assessments across the United Kingdom.

Gambling Impact Assessments (GIAs) have now been introduced in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act. GIAs 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 Gambling Commission produces statutory guidance for licensing authorities on their role and responsibilities in gambling regulation. The Gambling Commission will consult on and issue guidance to support the introduction of GIAs in due course.