A Maidenhead pub has applied for permission to have three gambling machines on its premises in the town centre.

The Corner House pub on Queen Street already has permission for two gambling machines under its alcohol sales license. But it needs permission from the council to get another.

That’s because licensing policy at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council says councillors have to sign off on permits for more than two machines.

Councillors were presented with the plans at a meeting on Friday, June 28. Council licensing officer Craig Hawkings told them the borough had no record of problems with gambling at the pub.

He said: “There are no reported problems in relation to gambling at this premises, there are no records to suggest any problems at all.”

Mr Hawkings added that the councillors would have to consider ‘the need to protect children and young persons from harm or being exploited by gambling'.

He said pub owners the Craft Union Pub Company would have to show the council ‘that there will be sufficient measures that under 18 year olds do not have access to the adult only gaming machines.'

Rules include that the machine must be in clear view of the bar so that staff can monitor it. Mr Hawkings said that the new machine would be ‘to the left hand side of the bar in very, very clear line of sight.'

Councillors on the Royal Borough’s licensing and public space protection order have until Friday, June 5, to make a decision.