The Gambling Act 2005
New Gambling Laws
From 30 April 2007, Stevenage Borough Council will start to receive applications under the new Gambling Act 2005 from amusement arcades, casinos, bookmakers, tracks and sporting sites, bingo halls and pubs/clubs wanting to have gaming machines.
For further information on the Gambling Act see the links below:
- Gambling Act 2005 - Department of Culture Media & Sport website
- Information leaflet for Councillors
- Information leaflet for Residents
When does the Act come into force?
The new laws will take practical effect from 1 September 2007 when all commercial gambling in premises will need to be licensed.
How will this work?
The Gambling Commission will be responsible for issuing operating licences and personal licences as well as for the regulation of remote gambling including gambling via the Internet, telephone, TV, computer etc.
Stevenage Borough Council will be responsible for issuing premises licences, permits and other authorisations.
How will Stevenage Borough Council decide premises licence applications?
In deciding premises licence applications, we will use codes of practice and guidance issued by the Gambling Commission, our Statement of Principles (see below) and the three licensing objectives:
- 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.
Our Statement of Principles outlines what authorisations premises will need, as well as the standards we expect.
The Gambling Act 2005 - Statement of Principles
Every licensing authority must publish a ‘Statement of Principles’ that sets out the principles it will use in exercising its licensing functions under the Act. The Statement of Principles lasts a maximum of 3 years, but can be reviewed and revised by the licensing authority at any time.
We consulted widely on our Statement of Principles; the final version was approved by the Council on December 6th 2006 and will come into force on 31st January 2007.