Protecting children and vulnerable people from gambling harm
One of the key aims of the Gambling Act 2005 is to keep children and vulnerable people safe from the risks of gambling.
Risk Assessments for gambling premises
Every gambling business must carry out a risk assessment for each of its locations. This means looking at how their business might affect people in the area—especially those who are young or vulnerable. For example, they need to consider if their premises are near schools or on routes children use to walk to school.
What is a local area profile?
Local councils are encouraged to create a Local Area Profile. This is a report that highlights areas where people may be more at risk from gambling. It helps gambling businesses understand what risks they need to manage when applying for a new licence or changing an existing one.
The profile includes data on things like:
- areas with financial hardship
- support services for homelessness and mental health
- schools and youth centres
- GP surgeries and treatment centres
- places of worship
- ethnic minority populations
- people receiving Universal Credit or Job Seekers Allowance
- young people aged 10–24
This information is updated every three months.
