To elect a Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Spacagna was elected as Chair for the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of a Sub-Committee held on 6 August 2026.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 6 August 2026 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Members considered a report on an application for an Adult Gaming Centre Premises Licence in respect of Hollywood Slots, 71 Torbay Road, Paignton. 

Written Representations received from:

Additional Information:

Additional information was received from the Applicant in response to the representations submitted by Environmental Health and Public Health.

Oral Representations received from:

Decision

That the Application for a Premises Licence for a new Adult Gaming Centre under Section 159 of the Gambling Act 2005 for Hollywood Slots, 71 Torbay Road, Paignton be refused.

Reasons for Decision

Having carefully considered all the written and oral representations, Members unanimously resolved to refuse the application, as they could not be satisfied on the evidence before them, that granting the application would promote the gambling licensing objective of ‘Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling’. At the request of the Applicant’s representative, additional time for oral Representations for all parties was allowed by the Chair of the Sub-Committee, increasing the pre-set 10 minutes, as set out within the Hearing Notice, to 15 minutes.

In reaching their decision, Members noted the Applicant's submissions, including the detailed policies and procedures relating to staff training, customer interaction, self-exclusion, age verification and the identification of vulnerable persons.  Members also noted the Applicant's assertion that similar measures have operated successfully at other premises and acknowledged the Applicant's commitment to complying with the requirements of the Gambling Commission and the Gambling Act 2005.

Whilst Members acknowledged this submission, they were mindful that each application must be determined on its own merits and that the risks arising from a particular locality may differ significantly from those present at other premises.  Members were not satisfied that evidence of successful operation elsewhere was sufficient to demonstrate that the risks associated with this particular locality would be adequately addressed.

Central to Members' concerns was whether the Applicant's proposed mitigation measures adequately addressed the specific risks arising from the location of the premises and the characteristics of the surrounding community.  Members gave considerable weight to the evidence relating to deprivation and vulnerability within Paignton and in particular, the Roundham With Hyde ward in which the premises is situated.  Members accepted that deprivation is closely linked to increased levels of financial hardship, social exclusion, poor mental and physical health outcomes, addiction and other factors which can increase an individual's vulnerability to gambling-related harm.  Members considered these factors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.