The Gambling Act 2005
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Important Changes that may affect your Business:
The Temporary Extension of Existing Premises Licences
Background
The new gambling laws (The Gambling Act 2005) for the regulation of commercial gambling in Great Britain came into force on 1 September 2007.
The Gambling Act 2005 replaces most of the existing laws about gambling in Great Britain and puts in place an improved, more comprehensive structure of gambling regulation.
You will not need to apply for a renewal and the automatic renewal will not attract a fee. There is no need to take any action if you wish to continue to operate during this period and a copy of your automatically renewed permit will be forwarded to you.
This measure refers to the following businesses with permissions under the existing gambling law:
- race tracks, greyhound and other stadiums with track betting licences issued under the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963;
- casinos and bingo halls with licences issued under the Gaming Act 1968;
- arcades with permits issued under Section 34 of the 1968 Act in respect of amusement machine premises; and
- premises with prize gaming permits issued under section 16 of the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976.
Holders of track betting permits will still be required to pay their annual fee.
Exceptions - Casinos and Bingo Halls Only
If a casino or bingo operator wishes to vary a condition attached to their existing licence, you may do so by applying for renewal in the normal way. The automatic renewal will not apply, and the normal application process and fee will apply instead.
Please contact the clerk to the licensing justices at North East Derbyshire and Dales Magistrates Court, The Court House, Tapton Lane, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 7TW for more details.
Fruit Machines are to be Phased out of Take Away Food Shops and other non-arcade Premises
On 1st August 2006, fruit machines started to be phased out from certain premises which included:
- take away food shops;
- minicab and taxi offices;
- guesthouses; and
- other non-arcade and unlicensed premises.
This is to ensure that children and other vulnerable people are not exposed to gambling in certain non-gambling premises.
Please note that this measure will not apply to:
- pubs, clubs and other alcohol licensed premises; or
- amusement arcades.
The Gambling Act 2005 replaces most of the existing laws about gambling in Great Britain and puts in place an improved, more comprehensive structure of gambling regulation.
The Gambling Act has three very clear objectives:
- keeping gambling crime free;
- making sure that gambling is fair and open; and
- protecting children and vulnerable adults.
The independent Gambling Review Body recommended in 2001 that gaming machines be banned from unlicensed premises like chip shops and taxi offices so that children in particular should not be exposed to ambient gambling in premises where there may often be little supervision. This conclusion was subsequently endorsed by an all party committee of MPs that considered the draft Gambling Bill. The government accepted this recommendation and, as a result, the provision allowing for the grant of gaming machine permits for chip shops, taxi offices and similar premises was not replicated in the 2005 Act.
Key Points
- If you currently have a fruit machine, you will be allowed to continue to have your fruit machine until your current permit expires.
- From 1st August 2006 you will not be able to renew your permit or apply for a new fruit machine permit once your current permit runs out.
- If you do not currently have a fruit machine, you will not be able to apply for a permit for a fruit machines from 1st August 2006.
Further information can be obtained from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Gambling Commission.
Downloads
Schedule of Responses to Statement of Principles (178 KB)
Provisional Statement Application (Standard) (55.6 KB)
Application for a Premises Licence (Vessel) (56.7 KB)
Application for a a Provisional Statement (vessel) (55.0 KB)
Premises Licence Application (Transitional Conversion Application) (63.7 KB)
Premises Licence Application (Standard Form) (61.3 KB)
Conversion or New Grant/Change of name of an Unlicensed family Entertainment Centre Gaming machine Permit (45.9 KB)
Application for a Premises Licence for a Transitional Conversion Application (Vessel) (64.5 KB)
Bingo Operators: New Licensing requirements under the Gambling Act 2005 (188 KB)
Track Operators & On-course Bookmakers on their new requirements under the gambling Act 2005 (189 KB)
Guidance for Interested Parties: Representations (59.5 KB)
Application to Vary a Premises Licence - Gambling Act 2005 (52.3 KB)
Guidance notes on Gaming Machine Applications (56.6 KB)
Application for Registering a Non-Commercial Society (29.7 KB)
factsheet regarding the temporary use of a premises for the purposes of gambling (22.9 KB)
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