The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday 17 June 2026. The primary item on the agenda is an application for an Adult Gaming Centre licence.

Application for an Adult Gaming Centre

The Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider an application from 312 Investments Ltd for a premises licence for an Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) to be known as Vault Casino, located at 574 High Road, Wembley, HA0 2AA¹. This application is being made pursuant to the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003².

The report pack details the application, which specifies the applicant as 312 Investments Ltd, with the premises named Vault Casino at 574 High Road, Wembley. The application is for an Adult Gaming Centre. Representations have been received and withdrawn from the Police and Licensing Officers. However, representations remain outstanding from Councillors, Members of Parliament, Public Health, and local residents. The applicant's agent is Hough & Bollard Ltd, represented by Debbie Bollard.

The applicant has submitted a comprehensive Social Responsibility and Compliance Pack, along with a Local Area Risk Assessment (LARA). These documents outline the proposed operational controls, staff training, age verification policies (including a Think 25 policy), self-exclusion procedures, and CCTV measures intended to uphold the three licensing objectives: preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, ensuring gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and protecting children and vulnerable persons from harm or exploitation.

The LARA highlights the specific local context of Wembley Central, noting high footfall, deprivation indicators, and proximity to various community services, schools, and entertainment venues. It details the applicant's proposed measures to mitigate risks associated with these factors, such as staff training on identifying vulnerable customers and enhanced awareness during payday periods.

Numerous objections have been lodged against this application. These include representations from Barry Gardiner MP, Councillor Sonia Shah (Wembley Central), Councillor Ketan Sheth, Krupesh Hirani AM (London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow), and Silvertime Amusements Limited, a competing operator with nearby premises. Objections have also been submitted by a group of local residents and by the Public Health department of Brent Council.

The core concerns raised in these objections centre on the existing saturation of gambling premises in Brent, particularly in Wembley, and the potential for an additional AGC to exacerbate gambling-related harm. Specific points raised include:

• Crime and Disorder: Concerns about increased anti-social behaviour, money laundering risks, and the general impact on the local environment, citing reports such as the Social Market Foundation's High Streets at Stake and More in Common's Ending a Losing Streak .
• Fair and Open Gambling: Questions about the transparency of AGC operations and whether they truly meet the fair and open objective, especially in areas with high deprivation where financial pressures might influence decision-making.
• Protection of Children and Vulnerable Persons: Significant concerns are raised about the proximity of the proposed premises to schools and community centres, and the potential for increased exposure to gambling for children and vulnerable individuals, referencing Brent's Joint Strategic Needs Assessment on Gambling.

The applicant's additional information submission addresses these objections, highlighting the extensive experience of its director, Maxwell Davitt, and arguing that AGCs are distinct from online gambling and betting shops, with different risk profiles and operational controls. The applicant also notes that the premises previously held an AGC licence and that the Metropolitan Police have agreed to proposed conditions, withdrawing their formal representation. The applicant has agreed to a comprehensive set of conditions with the Licensing Authority, including specific hours for SIA-licensed staff and the use of a maglock system on the entrance.