Ealing Council is reviewing its gambling policy, including a 'no casino' resolution that has been in place since 2012. The review also considers reforms outlined in the government's Gambling White Paper, which aims to strengthen protections for vulnerable individuals through measures like affordability checks and stake limits.

The Licensing Committee met on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, to discuss the update to the Statement of Gambling Policy, which is required at least every three years under the Gambling Act 2005. The current statement is due for renewal by 29 June 2026.

As part of the review, the committee considered renewing the 'no casino' resolution, which has been in place since 2012.

According to the Public Reports Pack provided to the committee, as of September 2025, Ealing has:

  • 52 betting shops
  • 12 adult gaming centres
  • 2 bingo premises
  • 74 notifications of automatic entitlement for gaming machines
  • 24 alcohol licensed gaming machine permits
  • 0 family entertainment centre permits
  • 13 club machine permits
  • 54 small society lotteries

Map showing the distribution of gambling premises in Ealing, categorized by type of license or permit.
Map showing the distribution of gambling premises in Ealing, categorized by type of license or permit.

The committee also discussed the government's Gambling White Paper, High Stakes: Gambling Reform for the Digital Age, published in April 2023, which sets out reforms to online gambling and strengthens protections for vulnerable individuals. Key reforms include the introduction of affordability checks, stake limits, and enhanced consumer safeguards. Some legislative changes began to take effect in July 2025, particularly those relating to gaming machine requirements and table ratios in casinos.

The proposed timeline for the policy renewal includes:

  • October - December 2025: Preparation of the first draft policy and consultation framework.
  • 13 January 2026: Licensing Committee to agree a first draft of the renewed policy and instruct consultation to begin.
  • January – February 2026: Statutory consultation.
  • February – March 2026: Preparation of final draft, considering representations and consultation responses.
  • 15 April 2026: Licensing Committee to recommend adoption of the final draft by Full Council.
  • Full Council date to be announced but before 01 June 2026: Adoption of the renewed policy by Full Council.

The Agenda Frontsheet for the meeting indicates that the next steps will be discussed at the next meeting on 13 January 2026.