Concerns raised over the 'serious damaging impacts' of gambling on people in South Tyneside
Concerns have been raised over the “serious damaging impacts” of gambling and the “concentration” of such premises in town centres.
It came as South Tyneside Council approved its Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy for 2025-2028, which outlines how “fair and consistent decisions” will be made around premises intending to provide gambling.
The council has a duty to review its statement of principles at least once every three years to ensure it promotes the licensing objectives around gambling.
Labour’s Councillor Jim Foreman, cabinet member for housing and community safety, presented the document to the latest meeting of full council (on Thursday, January 23), where it was unanimously approved.
He said: “It outlines the general principles that are applied to ensure fair and consistent licensing decisions are made.
“It should be noted that our policy cannot include web based and online gambling or any aspects of advertising and promotion, which is covered by the Gambling Commission.”
Councillor Shirley Ford, Green Group representative, stressed it is important they press the government to look at the cumulative impact of the number of gambling premises in a small area.
Speaking at the meeting, she said: “There is a problem in compulsive gambling that has serious damaging impacts on people themselves, their own mental health, their financial situation, with really high debt levels being possible.
“And the impact on their families and the wider community can be really damaging.
“I think our town centres, and particularly South Shields town centre being near the sea and tourism, there are more and more premises of this nature.”
She added: “I would argue that the concentration of any one kind of premises is not a healthy sustainable economic wellbeing for our town centres or any other area of this borough.”
It comes as the issue of considering the “cumulative impact” of gambling premises is one which was raised as part of a recent government white paper looking at gambling regulations.
Cllr Ford also welcomed the “public health approach to gambling” which is included in the council’s policy statement.
This approach includes looking at the effects on the families and close associates of gamblers, on young and vulnerable people, and the wider community, and includes engaging with a wide range of organisations.
Cllr Foreman noted the council’s statement of policy was formed following a six week consultation and takes into account revised statutory guidance issued by the Gambling Commission, and will be in effect until January 2028.