Edinburgh's Licensing Board is responsible for regulating the sale of alcohol to the public and certain gambling activities, by issuing alcohol licences and betting and gambling permits.
Gambling Policy consultation 2025
The Licensing Board is consulting on the terms of its Gambling Policy Statement. The policy statement forms the basis upon which the Board considers applications for premises licences for venues such as betting shops, bingo halls, casinos, gaming machines in entertainment centres and pubs, and a range of other matters.
The Board must ensure that it reviews its gambling policy at least every three years. In doing so, it is important the Board is able to take account of the views of a range of potential consultees, including trade representatives, statutory consultees (police, etc) but also from the public.
Edinburgh's Licensing Forum is recruiting new members
The Licensing Forum keeps the liquor licensing system in the Council area under regular review and seeks to stimulate debate on matters relevant to the system.
We need representatives of the liquor licensed trade and the local community. View more details about joining the Forum.
Statement of Licensing Policy 2023
The Board agreed the terms of its new Statement of Licensing Policy at its meeting on 27 November 2023. . The final version of the policy confirms changes to extended hours policy, occasional licensing, expectations on safe travel arrangements and a number of other adjustments.
Licensing Board members
- Councillor Louise Young (Convener)
- Councillor Jason Rust (Vice Convener)
- Councillor Pauline Flannery
- Councillor Margaret Graham
- Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron
- Councillor Chas Booth
- Councillor Norman Work
- Councillor Catherine Fullerton
- Councillor David Key
View recent Licensing Board meeting papers
Download details of what to expect at a Licensing Board meeting (PDF, 285KB)
Financial statements
Download the Edinburgh Licensing Board's annual financial statements (PDF, 297KB)
Alcohol and gambling policies
Download the gambling policy and related documents (PDFs)
Download the alcohol licensing policy (PDF, 8MB)
Equalities policy and outcomes
Download the equalities policy outcomes (PDF, 161KB)
Download the equalities policy 2018 (PDF, 282KB)
Freedom of information
Download freedom of Information publication scheme 2018 (PDF, 208 KB)
Annual functions reports
Download annual reports on the board's functions (PDF, 108KB)