Bridlington has the most licensed premises for gambling in East Riding
East Riding of Yorkshire Council have been revealing the figures
A total of 69 premises are licensed for gambling in the East Riding, according to council figures.
East Riding Council records showed betting shops were the most common type of premises licensed for gambling with 23 currently active.
Adult gaming centres, arcades for those aged 18 and over, were the second most common with 21 licences held.
It comes as the Licensing Act 2003 Committee heard the council was currently reviewing its gambling policies, with new rules set to come into force in January.
Council Licensing Manager Louise Wilson told the committee the review came as the government is expected to unveil the biggest overhaul of gambling laws since 2005.
The officer added council policy would largely remain the same, other than including more details covering small lotteries, ahead of a white paper due by the end of the year.
Council records show there are currently 12 active Unlicensed Family Entertainment Permits, covering amusement arcades with low stakes games playable by all ages such as slots.
There are eight Family Entertainment Centres, those licensed to have gaming machines with maximum payouts of £100 and four licensed bingo halls.
Beverley Race Course is the only premises with a Racing Track licence in the East Riding.
The Gambling Commission’s register showed Bridlington had the most licensed premises for gambling at 19.
Adult gaming centres accounted for 11 of the licences, along with five betting shops, two bingo halls and a family entertainment centre.
The council’s Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee previously heard gambling premises, particularly betting shops, were most concentrated in deprived areas.
There are currently nine licensed premises in Beverley, all of them betting shops or book makers.
Goole’s five licensed gambling premises are all betting shops.
Driffield is currently home to four licensed gambling venues.
Two of them are betting shops, while one bingo hall is licensed at Barmston Beach Holiday Park and a family entertainment centre holds one at Skipsea Sands Holiday Park.
Market Weighton, Pocklington, Brough, Cottingham and Hessle are all home to one betting shop each.
A council report stated the government’s review on gambling laws followed a call for evidence which closed in March.
It added current guidance on existing laws recognised more was needed to protect children and the vulnerable from the effects of harmful gambling.
The report stated:
“The government has made the commitment to ensuring gambling legislation is fit for the modern age.
“This is expected to be the biggest overhaul of gambling legislation to date.”
The national review from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is expected to look at gambling affordability, online gaming, sports sponsorships and betting limits.
The council is set to launch a four week consultation on its policy review this November and December.