The Gambling Act 2005 introduces a new regime for regulating gambling and betting in the United Kingdom that will take effect from 1 September 2007. The Gambling Commission will regulate all gambling and betting apart from the National Lottery and Spread betting.
The Gambling Act 2005 aims to modernise the law on gambling. Most of the practical implications of the Act will be regulated by the Gambling Commission, a government body that has replaced the Gaming Board. Responsibility however for the licensing of gambling premises will be allocated to Local Authorities.
Premises which will require a premises licence include; casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres and licensed family entertainment centres and betting permits for gaming machines in pubs and other alcohol licensed premises.
Transitional Arrangements
The transition to the new Act began on 1 January 2007. From this date gambling operators became eligible to submit an application for an operator's licence and a personal licence to the Gambling Commission. Operating licence applications were required to be submitted by 27 April 2007 and personal licence applications must be submitted by 29 June 2007.
Once these applications have been properly made within the dates an application can then be made for a premises licence to the licensing authority. Applications for premises licences must then be made between 21 May 2007 and 30 July 2007.
This document explains the arrangements that the government has put in place for the commencement and implementation of the Gambling Act 2005. See the
DCMS transition guidance here.
When will the Gambling Act 2005 come into force? The Act will come into force on 1 September 2007. Applications are able to be made to this Authority from 21 May 2007.
What are the Licensing Objectives? In exercising most of the functions under the Gambling Act 2005, licensing authorities must have regard to the licensing objectives as set out in Section 1 of the Act.
The objectives under the Act are: ·
- preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime
- ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and
- protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling
Statement of Principles The Council has produced a 'Statement of Principles' in accordance with Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005. This was approved by Licensing Committee on 3 October 2006, following a period of consultation. The 'Statement of Principles' was put before full Council on 20 December 2006 for adoption.
You can download the
Statement of Principles here
Applications Unfortunately we are not able to accept electronically completed application forms at the present time; however you can print out the application forms and address them to the
Licensing Authority, South Holland District Council, Priory Road, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 2XE Application Forms:
Notices:
The local authority will additionally undertake various regulatory functions in relation to a number of gambling activities and will be responsible for:
- The receiving and endorsing of Temporary Use Notices;
- The receiving of Occasional Use Notices; and,
- The registering of Small Lotteries.
Fees
You can download
fees here.
Responsible Authorities: The following are responsible authorities in relation to premises, you can download the
Responsible Authorities addresses here:
- the Licensing Authority, South Holland District Council
- the Gambling commission
- Lincolnshire Police
- Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service
- Planning Department - South Holland District Council
- Head of Community and Neighbourhood Services - South Holland District Council
- Lincolnshire Safe Guarding Children's Board
- HM Revenue and Customs
Pubs and Other Alcohol Licensed Premises
Further information can be downloaded
here.
Remote GamblingGambling in which persons, participate by the use of remote communication, including the internet, telephone, television, radio or any other kind of electronic or other technology for facilitating communication. This too is regulated by the Act. Further guidance can be obtained from the Gambling Commission.
Takeaway and Taxi offices
Gaming machines currently in takeaway food outlets and taxi offices will soon cease to exist with all current licences expiring either before or on 31 July 2009. No new permits have been allowed to be issued from 1 August 2007.
