Gambling Licences

Statement of Gambling Principles

The Gambling Act 2005 has imposed a statutory requirement upon local authorities to prepare a "Statement of Principles" that are proposed to be applied by the Council in the exercise of their licensing functions. This statement must be reviewed by the Council every three years. The Council has carried out the review and has published the new statement of principles which will come into effect on 31^st January 2019. The statement for 2019 - 2021 can be viewed here.

View the Statement of Gambling Principles 2019-2021  (.pdf) (785KB) (Opens in a new window)

View the Notice of publication of Statement of Gambling Principles 2019-2021 (.pdf) (148KB) (Opens in a new window)

Implementation of Gambling Act 2005

On 7^th February 2005 the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) received Royal Assent and came into effect on 1^st September 2007. The Act replaced most of the existing law about gambling in Great Britain and has put in place an improved, more comprehensive structure of gambling regulation.

It created a new independent regulatory body, the Gambling Commission, who is the national regulator for commercial gambling in Great Britain.

The Act sets out three licensing objectives which underpin the functions that the Commission and Licensing authorities will perform. These objectives are central to the new regulatory regime. 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.

It must be noted that public nuisance and public safety are not included in these objectives and the Council cannot take these into account in any representations that may be received when licences are applied for.

The Act also has also put in place a strong role for local authorities in licensing gambling premises in their area. The Council now:

• Issues premises licences for casinos, betting offices and race tracks, bingo clubs, adult gaming centres and family entertainment centres.

• Issues permits for gaming machines in members' clubs and licensed premises (fruit machines or amusement with prizes - AWPs), gaming in members' clubs, prize gaming and unlicensed family entertainment centres.

• Is responsible for the registration of Small Society Lotteries, promoted on behalf of non-commercial societies.

• Endorses Temporary and Occasional Use Notices and issues provisional statements.

Monitoring and enforcement of these licenses and permits also falls within the licensing authorities remit. Please click on the links provided for more information on the Gambling Act

• Gambling Commission website

• The Gambling Act

• Gambling Act fees for premises and permits

The following application forms are also available to download:

• Premises licence

• Premises licence transfer

• Premises licence Variation

• Premises licence Notice of Publication

• Club gaming or club machine permit

• Family Entertainment Centre permit (unlicensed)

• Prize gaming permit

• Licensed premises gaming machine permit or Notification

• Temporary and Occasional Use Notices

Licensed Premises

The Gambling Act 2005 makes many changes to gambling on licensed premises. Please click on the link provided to download a guidance document for gambling in licensed premises.

If you are unsure of the legality of your operation please contact one of our licensing enforcement officers for advice and guidance.