VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Amusement Arcades: Anti-social Behaviour and Violence

Asked by Sammy WilsonDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled Answered 4 September 2025UIN 69796

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what obligations adult gaming centre operators have to report (a) antisocial behaviour and (b) violence on their premises to the police.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock

DCMS and the Gambling Commission do not hold data on the number or nature of police call outs to adult gaming centres.

All licensed gambling operators must uphold the licensing objectives set out in the Gambling Act, which include preventing gambling from being a source of, or associated with, crime or disorder. Licensing authorities are also able to set specific conditions on premises licences to mitigate risks posed by antisocial behaviour and crime, such as enhanced security requirements. Premises licence holders must also conduct a local area risk assessment for each of their premises, which includes risk mitigation related to crime and anti-social behaviour. Additionally, schemes such as Betwatch, a community-based crime prevention scheme, are designed to tackle localised anti-social and criminal behaviour in and around betting shops.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim