The 2005 Gambling Act ("the Act")
came into force on 1 September 2007. The Act transferred the
responsibility for issuing gambling licences from the magistrates'
courts to local authority control. It has replaced three previous
Acts relating to gambling, namely: the Betting, Gaming and
Lotteries Act 1963, the Gaming Act 1968 and the Lotteries and
Amusements Act 1976. It has also introduced a unified regulator for
gambling; the Gambling Commission which has replaced the Gaming
Board for Great Britain.
The Licensing
Objectives
The Act contains three licensing
objectives, which underpin the functions that the Gambling
Commission and the Council, as licensing authority will
perform.
They 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;
and
- protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being
harmed or exploited by gambling.
Types of Licence There are three types of
licence provided by the Act:
Individuals or companies who intend to provide facilities for
gambling require an Operating Licence. Operating Licences are
granted and regulated by the Gambling Commission.
A Personal Licence is required by the directors/managers
(Personal Management Licence) and by those performing operational
functions (e.g. croupiers (Personal Function Licence). The Gambling
Commission grants personal Licences.
Premises Licences are issued by Amber Valley Borough Council for
all premises within the borough and are required for the premises
where the gambling will take place. Licences last indefinitely and
annual fee will be payable.
Amber Valley Borough Council is responsible for issuing various
permissions, permits and notices relating to the use of premises
for gambling activities, including:
Premises licences for:
- Casinos
- Betting offices
- Sporting tracks, including horse racing and dog tracks
- Bingo clubs
- Adult gaming centres
- Family Entertainment Centres
Permits for:
- Gaming machines in alcohol-licensed premises, such as pubs
- Gaming machines for members clubs
- Gaming in members clubs
- Unlicensed family entertainment centres (category D machines
only i.e. machines that have the lowest level of stakes and
prizes)
- Prize gaming
- Occasional Use Notices
- Temporary Use Notices
- Provisional Statements
- Small Society Lotteries
Statement of Principles
The Borough Council is required to publish a statement of the
principles, which it proposes to apply when exercising its
functions under the Act. The statement must be published every
three years. The statement must also be reviewed from time to time
and any amended parts re-consulted upon. The statement must then be
re-published.
Click here for the current Statement of
Principles