Ipswich Borough Council is set to disapprove a recommendation put forth by a gambling charity due to a lack of demand.

Every three years, local licencing authorities have to update and review their statement of principles on gambling, which dictates licencing and regulations for the next three years.

The borough council has now made its statement for 2025 to 2028, with input from several charities and national organisations. 

There are currently 20 betting shops, three Bingo venues and three adult gaming centres in town that will be affected by this. 

However, one such charity, GamCare, put a recommendation to the council based on its draft statement to include statements on public health and training for frontline and primary care staff to deal with addiction and other issues arising from gambling. 

The council have said that it will not be adding these changes, and will discuss this in depth during the licencing and regulatory committee meeting next Wednesday. 

In a pre-meeting report officers state: "Whilst the proposals outlined (by GamCare) may be appropriate for local authorities with a large number of gambling premises, it is considered that the demand for gambling licences in Ipswich is very low and would not justify the work involved in implementing the suggested measures."

GamCare additionally commended the council for its work on going beyond the mandatory and default conditions set by the Gambling Act in addressing issues people may face. 

The borough council statement says that venues should ensure that gambling is not being used as a source of crime, is fair and open and there are protections for children and vulnerable people. 

All gambling venues have to abide by certain rules set by the council.All gambling venues have to abide by certain rules set by the council. (Image: Google Maps)

The council also asks for sites to have constant CCTV, security, specific hours, request people for proof of age and have pamphlets ready of charities like GamCare and Gamble Aware, for customers to reach out to. 

Before the council began preparing its statement the government said that local authorities should access areas for risks that gambling venues would contain. 

However, no evidence has been presented to the council to suggest that any part of the borough is experiencing problems from gambling.