Gambling Act 2005

The Gambling Act, 2005 has created a new system of licensing and regulation for commercial gambling in this Country. The Act has established the Gambling Commission and has given to local authorities new responsibilities for licensing premises for gambling.

The Act provides for three categories of licence:

           • Operating licences (responsibility of Gambling Commission)
           • Personal licences (responsibility of Gambling Commission)
           • Premises licences (responsibility of Licensing Authority)

The Licensing Authority's main functions are:

            • To issue premises licences for casinos, betting offices and race tracks, bingo clubs, adult gaming centres and family entertainment centres
            • To grant permits for gaming machines in members' clubs and licensed premises, prize gaming and unlicensed family entertainment centres
            • To authorise the temporary use of premises for gambling.
            • To register small society lotteries

There are three Licensing Objectives which underpin the Gambling Act:

            • Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and 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 being harmed or exploited by gambling

The Act requires Licensing Authorities to prepare and publish a Gambling Licensing Policy every three years. This policy outlines the principles which the Licensing Authority proposes to apply when exercising its functions.

The current policy came into effect on 30 January 2010.

You can download the  Gambling Policy (259Kb) here

For further information or to be sent application forms please contact the Licensing Section on: 01493 846530 or by using the contact details above.