§ Sir Ivan LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for changes in the controls on the displays and facilities in licensed betting offices.
§ Mr. HowardI have carefully considered the responses to last year's consultation exercise on changes to the controls on the displays and facilities in licensed betting offices. I have now decided to ease these controls, so as to give consumers greater choice and lighten the burden on the betting industry.
Since betting offices were first permitted in 1961, they have been required to operate behind obscured windows. In addition, licensees have not been allowed to advertise their services on shop windows or to display any moving text or images. Since 1986, betting offices have been allowed to provide a very limited range of refreshments and television sets have been permitted, but with restrictions on screen size and positioning so as not to be seen from outside.
I propose that, in future, betting offices should be able to have clear windows and to provide a wider range of pre-packed snacks and sandwiches. They would be free to display information on the facilities available in their premises, the events on which betting is taking place, the range of bets available, and the odds offered on any particular event. In addition, the current restriction on the maximum size of television screens in betting offices would be lifted, as would the ban on displays incorporating moving text.
I hope to bring these changes before the House later in the year.