The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday, 18 June 2026. The primary focus of the meeting will be to consider an application for an Adult Gaming Centre.

Application for an Adult Gaming Centre

The sub-committee is scheduled to consider an application from Arcadia Casino Ltd for an Adult Gaming Centre at the premises known as Arcadia Casino, located at 1 Walm Lane, NW2 5SN. This application is to be considered under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003¹.

Information available indicates that representations have been received from various interested parties, including councillors, Members of Parliament, Public Health officials, and local residents. These representations are expected to be considered as part of the application process. The applicant, Arcadia Casino Ltd, has submitted a set of policies and procedures designed to demonstrate how it will comply with its obligations to promote the licensing objectives and the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice issued by the Gambling Commission². These proposed conditions include measures related to CCTV, age verification (Challenge 25 policy), staffing levels, incident logging, and staff training.

The available information also details a local area risk assessment conducted by the applicant, which considers the demographics of Willesden Green, including its population, household composition, deprivation levels, ethnic makeup, and economic activity status. Crime statistics for Willesden Green are also provided, highlighting anti-social behaviour and violent crime as prevalent issues. The assessment notes the proximity of the proposed premises to various facilities, including schools, care homes, medical centres, transport hubs, and other gambling premises.

Numerous representations have been submitted by local residents, councillors, and organisations, including Dawn Butler MP³, Krupesh Hirani AM⁴, and the Brent Green Party⁵. These representations have raised objections to the application, citing concerns about the overconcentration of gambling premises in the area, the potential for increased crime and anti-social behaviour, the negative impact on vulnerable individuals and children, and the perceived lack of a robust, location-specific risk assessment. Specific concerns have been raised about the proximity of the proposed venue to schools, food banks, and other support services, as well as the general character of the high street.

An applicant's additional information document outlines proposed conditions that have been discussed with the Licensing Authority, which are broadly in line with the conditions voluntarily proposed by the applicant. These include comprehensive CCTV coverage, a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, minimum staffing levels, intruder alarms, and specific signage. The applicant also highlights that Arcadia Casino Limited holds an Operating Licence granted by the Gambling Commission and that its owner, Harpreet Chattha, is also a shareholder in Golden Slots (Southern) Limited, an established operator of AGCs and Bingo Premises. The applicant asserts that its policies and procedures comply with the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCPs) and that the business will contribute to the local and national economy.