Gambling Licensing Changes
The Gambling
Act 2005 creates a new system of licensing and regulation for
commercial gambling in this country. Amongst other changes,
it gives to local authorities new and extended responsibilities for
licensing premises for gambling. In some cases such as gaming
machine arcades, those build on existing responsibilities.
But in other areas, including betting, casino gaming and bingo,
they transfer to local authorities responsibilities that previously
lay with the Magistrates.
Perhaps the most significant changes being made as a result of
the new legislation are:-
- The Gambling Commission will issue operating and personal
licences
- Local Authorities will issue premises licences
As from the 1st of January
2007, operators of gambling premises may apply to the Gambling
Commission for operating and personal licences. During the
period from 21st May until 30 July 2007 operators should apply to
the Council to convert their premises licences.
Application Forms for the
various types of premises licences, together with a schedule of
fees fixed by the Council are available from this website.
The Gambling Act creates a new requirement for a Personal Licence
to be held by an individual who performs a management or
operational function.
Before the Council is able to deal with premises licence
applications, it must publish a
Statement of
Licensing Policy, which will last for a period of
three years.
In drawing up its Statement of Licensing Policy, South
Lakeland District Council must have regard for the three statutory
gambling objectives, which 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
- Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being
harmed or exploited by gambling
Operators will be need to refer to the Council’s Statement of
Licensing Policy before submitting an application for a premises
licence.
Before determining its Statement of Licensing Policy and in
order to comply with statutory requirements, the Council must
consult with:The Chief Officer of Police for the area;
- Persons who appear to the authority to represent the interests
of persons carrying on
gambling businesses
- Persons who appear to the authority to represent the interests
of person who are likely to be affected by the exercise
of the authority’s functions under the Act.