The Licensing Sub-Committee of Lambeth Council met on Wednesday 29 October 2025. The committee discussed a draft gambling policy and considered an application to vary the gambling premises licence for Admiral at 510 Brixton Road. The decision on the Admiral application was deferred.

Draft Gambling Policy

The committee discussed the draft Gambling Policy for 2025-2028. Head of Licensing, Trevor Virtue, presented the policy, highlighting key changes such as the decision not to renew the no casinos resolution, updated definitions of vulnerable persons, and revised gambling saturation zones informed by public health data. The policy also includes updates on risk assessments and operational hours. The committee agreed for the draft policy to go out for a five-week public consultation.

Admiral Gambling Premises Licence Variation

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application to vary the gambling premises licence for Admiral, located at 510 Brixton Road, London SW9 8EN. The application sought to remove condition 25, which currently restricts gambling facilities from operating between 02:00 and 08:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and between 00:01 and 08:00 on other days. This would allow the premises to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, the applicant requested to amend condition 13 regarding door supervision, proposing that a minimum of one SIA licensed door supervisor be engaged from 00:00 to 06:00 on Fridays to Sundays, with the need for supervision at other times to be risk-assessed.

The application received 26 representations against it, including one from the Licensing Authority and 25 from interested parties. Concerns raised by objectors centred on the potential for increased crime and anti-social behaviour, the heightened risk to vulnerable individuals (including those with gambling, mental health, or homelessness issues), and the proposed reduction in security staffing. Several representations highlighted Brixton's existing challenges with anti-social behaviour and the concentration of vulnerable people in the area.

The applicant, Luxury Leisure, presented evidence including a local risk assessment, crime analysis reports, and a policies and procedures report. They argued that their existing robust policies, staff training, and commitment to responsible gambling, as evidenced by their G4 accreditation¹, would ensure that extending operating hours would not negatively impact the licensing objectives. They also presented observation reports suggesting that their premises do not contribute to crime or anti-social behaviour.

After extensive deliberation, the committee decided to defer their determination of the application within five working days, starting from the day after the meeting. This means a final decision will be communicated to the applicant and objectors within that timeframe.