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Gambling Act 2005

 
The Gambling Act 2005 replaces most existing Great Britain gambling law and puts in place an improved, more comprehensive gambling regulation structure.

Gambling Commission

The Act introduces the Gambling Commission, a unified regulator for gambling in Great Britain. It also introduces a new licensing regime for commercial gambling. This will be conducted by the Commission or by Licensing Authorities, depending on the matter to be licensed.
 
The Act removes from licensing justices all responsibility for granting gaming and betting permissions, which they exercised previously.

Instead, the Gambling Commission and the Council will share responsibility for all matters previously regulated by the licensing justices.

Gambling licensing objectives

The Council, Premises Licence and Permit holders, and other agencies must all work to promote the three Gambling Licensing objectives. These 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
  • Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

Changeover

There will be a transitional changeover from the existing legislation to the new system. The Council has been required to produce a Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy before taking the first applications from 21 May 2007.

Responsibilities

The Council will undertake various regulatory functions in relation to a number of gambling activities. We will be responsible for:

  • The issuing of Premise Licences for the provision of gambling activities
  • The issuing of Permits for Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centres, Club Gaming, Club Machines, Licensed Premises Gaming Machines and Prize Gaming
  • The issuing of Provisional Statements
  • The receiving and endorsing of Temporary Use Notices
  • The receiving of Occasional Use Notices
  • The registering of Small Lotteries

Further information

For more information about licensing in Greenwich, please contact our Licensing Team using the contact information in the menu to the right.

The Useful links in the right-hand menu will take you to more information about gambling legislation and the Gambling Commission.

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