Gambling Reforms

The new Gambling Act 2005 came into force on 1st September 2007. The Act updates all existing gambling laws, providing new powers and protections for both new and old forms of gambling.

The following Licences/permits are now required in order to carry out any gambling activities.

Operating Licence

Issued by the Gambling Commission and required for:-

· Amusement arcades
· Betting shops
· On-course Bookmakers
· Pool Promoters
· Bingo clubs
· Casinos
· Society Lotteries
· External Lotteries
· Supply and repair of gaming machines

Personal Licences

Issued by the Gambling Commission. Unless an Operator has a small scale operator exemption the Gambling Commission will make it a condition for each Operating Licence that at least one person holds a Personal Licence authorising them to perform a specified management function. Personal Licences are also required for persons having certain operational functions, usually linked with casinos.

Premises Licence

Issued by the local Licensing Authority and required for each premises operating as:-

· Amusement arcade
· Family Entertainment Centre
· Adult Gaming Centre
· Betting shop
· Bingo club
· Casino

Permit

Issued by the local Licensing Authority

· Pubs and other Licensed premises gaming machine permit
· Club gaming permit
· Prize gaming permit
· Family entertainment gaming machine permit
· Single machine supply and maintenance

Temporary Use Notice

· Must hold an Operating Licence
· Use of premises for no more than 21 days in 12 month period

Clubs Pubs and Fairs

· No further registration under Part II and Part III of the Gaming Act 1968. Clubs registered under Part II will automatically be treated as if they hold club gaming permits and clubs registered under Part III will be treated as if they hold club machine permits. Applications must be made to the local licensing authority for the relevant permission at least 2 months before the expiry of the registration.

· Existing s 34 Permits for Licensed premises will continue to apply until their expiry date. Licensed premises are automatically entitled to operate 2 gaming machines and notification should be given to local licensing authority before the existing permit expires. Licensed premises intending to operate more than 2 gaming machines must apply to the local licensing authority for a licensed premises gaming machine permit at least 2 months before the existing permit expires.

· Additional rules for playing poker, bingo and other equal chance gaming in Clubs and Premises with an alcohol licence.

· There will be no renewal of s34 permits for AWPs in chip shops, taxi offices and other non-gambling premises. All existing permits are to expire no later than 31 July 2009

Links

Gambling Commission

The Gambling Act 2005 - Full Act

Department of Culture, media and sport



Contact Details
Debbie Hough, Solicitor
Chattertons Solicitors
18 South Street, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6DS
Phone: (01507) 522456
E-mail: debbie.hough@chattertons.com