Licensing Board refuse betting licence application

Orkney Islands Area Licensing Board today, Thursday, refused a betting premises licence for use at 31, Bridge Street Kirkwall.

The decision was made after a lengthy debate in the OIC’s council chamber. The application had been put forward by MAB Bookmakers Ltd, trading as Laidlaws Bookmakers.

The controversial subject of fixed odds betting terminals came up several times during the meeting, with one objector stating  that the machines had been described as the “crack cocaine of gambling.” It was heard that the new bookmakers would have been entitled to have four of said machines on the premises.

Five members of the board voted to refuse the application, with three members voting to approve.