Gambling Act 2005
Introduction
The Gambling Act 2005 will modernise the law on gambling and introduce a new regulator for gambling, the Gambling Commission. This body replaces the Gaming Board for Great Britain.
Responsibility for the licensing of gambling premises is given to Local Authorities. These include premises licences for casinos, bingo halls, betting offices, adult gaming centres and licensed family entertainment centres and permits for gaming machines and prize gaming. Operating and personal licences for those engaged in the industry will be issued by the Gambling Commission.
The Act will come fully into force on 1 September 2007.
Licensing objectives
There are three licensing objectives underpinning the new Act:
- 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.
The Licensing Authority cannot become involved in the moral issues relating to gambling and must aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as they think it is:
- in accordance with any relevant codes of practice;
- in accordance with any relevant Guidance issued by the Gambling Commission;
- reasonably consistent with the Licensing Objectives; and
- in accordance with the Licensing Authority's Statement of Licensing Policy.
Statement of principles
Licensing authorities are required by the Act to publish a statement of the principles that it proposes to apply when exercising its functions under the Act. This statement must be published every three years. The Council's statement of principles was drawn up following widespread consultation and too effect on the 31 January 2007.
 Final statement of principles Gambling Act 2005 (274 kb)
Fees
Section 212 (1) (a) of the Gambling Act 2005 allows for a Licensing Authority to set Fees for licenses for premises that are to be used for gambling.
The Gambling (Premises Licence Fees) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 sets out how this is achieved.
The bandings were set by Central Government and Licensing Authorities set the fees for their area within those bandings based on cost recovery.
Our fees were approved by the Authority on the on 8 May 2007 and the table of fees can be downloaded below.
Fees for permits are set by Central Government.
Application fees for premises licences (17 kb)
Gambling Act 2005 (Premises licences transitional arrangements)
Under transitional arrangements contained within the Act existing commercial operators (adult gaming centres, betting shops, bingo halls, family entertainment centres) can benefit from special provisions intended to ensure they can continue to operate without interruption during the transitional period.
To qualify for continuation rights, these operators must make advanced applications for their premises licences between the 21 May 2007 and 30 July 2007.
- KEY DATE – 21 May 2007 - This is the first date Licensing Authorities will begin accepting advanced applications for premises licences.
- KEY DATE – 30 July 2007 - The deadline for the submission of premises licence applications from existing operators (or new operators with outstanding applications under the existing legislation) wishing to receive continuation rights.
Applications received after this date will still be processed but applicants will NOT receive continuation rights.
- KEY DATE – 31 August 2007 - Transitional period ends.
- KEY DATE – 1 September 2007 - The Gambling Act 2005 comes fully into force.
Department of Culture Media and Sports/Gambling Commission guidance
Adult gaming centres (73 kb)
Betting premises (157 kb)
Bingo premises (66 kb)
Family entertainment centres (75 kb)
Small businesses (67 kb)
Guidance arcades (160 kb)
Guidance betting premises (157 kb)
Application forms
Transitional applications
Application for Premises Licenses (Transitional) (45 kb)
Gambling Act 2005 (new applications)
Applicants may apply for a new premises licence or a provisional statement after the 21st May 2007 but it will not take effect until the 1st September 2007
New applications
Application for Premises Licenses (43 kb)
Provisional statement
Application for Provisional Statements (44 kb)
Guidance and notices for transitional new and provisional applications
Guidance note (143 kb)
Notice of application for a premises licence (Form A) LACORS (16 kb)
Notice of application for a premises licence (Form B) LACORS (18 kb)
Notice of application for a provisional statement (Form A) LACORS (16 kb)
Notice of application for a provisional statement (Form B) LACORS (18 kb)
Notice to be published for the application for a premises licence (22 kb)
Notice of application to be published provisional statement (22 kb)
Further information
Further information can be found on the DCMS website at www.culture.gov.uk and the Gambling Commission website at www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk or from:
Address:
London Borough of Wandsworth
Technical Services Department
Environmental Services Division
Licensing section
PO Box 47095
London
SW18 9AQ
Telephone 020 8871 6160
Email: licensing@wandsworth.gov.uk |
