Ealing Council Confirms New Policy Consultation on Gambling

by Jamie Smith, 4 March 2026

Gambling policy in the UK remains in a state of flux, with Ealing Council announcing that it is launching a new public consultation on policy.

Roulette games could be affected by new gambling rules in Ealing.

Key Facts:

• The UK has seen various changes to gambling policy in recent times, including updates to how the industry is taxed
• Local councils around the country are also taking steps
• Ealing Council is the latest to announce a public consultation
• Locals are being given the chance to put forward their views on how gambling policy in the area can be improved

Debate is being welcomed over the draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy for 2026, which follows the government’s passing of fresh regulations, including updates to how gambling businesses are taxed.

Ealing Council has told residents, as well as businesses and community groups operating in the area, that they can take part in the consultation until March 22.

The draft proposals look into how the council will manage applications for a range of gambling-related premises. This includes everything from bingo halls and betting shops to adult gaming centres.

Ealing currently has 148 licensed gambling premises, which are made up of 12 adult gaming centres, almost 50 betting shops, 77 alcohol-licensed premises with gambling-related machines and 11 clubs that have similar machines on the property.

Local Gambling Policy Ready for Update

Ealing Council says it last reviewed its local gambling policy in 2023.

A statement on the council’s website says: “Reviewing the policy helps us keep the licensing framework up to date. It also helps make sure that gambling in our borough is safe and well‑regulated.”

“Most of the policy is the same as the 2023 version. However, we have made some small changes and improved the layout to make it easier to read and understand.”

Ealing Council is also asking local people to give their views on its updated Local Area Profile, which assesses local risks and issues to help guide safe and fair gambling regulation.

An online consultation portal, GoVocal, is being used to garner views from local people. Once the consultation is over, the council will update its draft proposals, and they will be presented at a meeting in June.

Residents Recently Blocked 24/7 Venue Application

The public consultation on gambling policy being run by Ealing Council comes a short time after residents helped to block the opening of a new 24/7 premises in Hanwell.

Pure Gaming Limited had planned to open a round-the-clock venue at 153-155 Uxbridge Road, close to Hanwell Clock Tower and within 400 metres of three schools.

Almost 2,000 local people registered their opposition to Pure Gaming’s plan, which runs similar venues in locations such as Denmark Hill and Chatham.

The company argued that a new 24/7 gaming venue with slot machines would contribute to Hanwell’s night-time economy, but residents and the Liberal Democrat leader, Gary Malcolm, helped block the plan, partly due to its proximity to schools.

Hanwell’s vacant property operated for many years as a branch of Barclays Bank before it was turned into a Domino’s Pizza location.

The council’s rejection notice said that the proposal for a new 24/7 gambling venue would “remove an active food and beverage use”.

Ealing Council said the opening of a new gambling venue “fails to support footfall or linked trips during the day” as a result of the rejection confirmation notice.