The Gambling Act 2005 requires the council, in its role as the local licensing authority, to prepare a Statement of Principles related to the exercise of its licensing functions.
This must be reviewed every three years. The current statement ends this year and has been reviewed and updated to cover the next three-year period to 2028.
The scope and content of the document is largely determined by the Gambling Act 2005 and guidance from the Gambling Commission. Its objectives are:
- Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime
- Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
- Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling
The draft version of the 2025-2028 Statement of Principles is currently out for consultation. If you would like to comment, please email licensing@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk before 4pm on Monday 11 August 2025.
Alternatively, write to Licensing, Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QY. Printed versions of the draft statement can be made available on request by calling 01303 853000.
Gambling activities (except the National Lottery) are regulated by the Gambling Act 2005. The council is the local licensing authority for the purposes of the Act.
Its main functions are:
- The granting of premises licences where gambling activities take place (including betting shops, bingo premises, betting tracks, adult gaming centres and family entertainment centres)
- Issuing permits for gaming machines and receiving notifications of use of gaming machines in premises licensed under Licensing Act 2003
- Local enforcement of the Gambling Act 2005
Online betting and associated websites are regulated directly by the Gambling Commission and, therefore, fall outside of the statement of principle’s scope.