Gambling Act

 

How will it effect you?

The Gambling Act 2005 gives effect to the Government's proposals for reform of the law on gambling. The Act contains a new regulatory system to govern the provision of all gambling in Great Britain, other than the National Lottery and spread betting. The Act received royal assent on 7th April 2005.

 

Amongst other changes, it gives to local authorities new and extended responsibilities for licensing premises for gambling. Responsibility for areas including betting, casino gaming and bingo which previously lay with local licensing justices transfer to local authorities.

 

In preparation, each licensing authority is required to develop, consult on and publish a Statement of Principles. The statement must set out the principles, which the authority proposes to apply in exercising its licensing functions under the Act.

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council was required to produce a Statement of Principles as one of their first tasks.The Statement sets out in broad terms how the Council will deal with applications etc. over the next three years. The Statement was published in December 2006 and is available in hard copy or via the link below.

 

The new Gambling Act 2005 will come into force September 2007

One of the first tasks the Vale of Glamorgan Council did was to draw up and consult on a draft "Statement of Principles". This Statement will set out in broad terms how the Council will deal with applications etc. over the next three years.

Statement of Principles

 

What does the Gambling Act 2005 mean?

The 2005 Act establishes a single integrated system for licensing premises and issuing permits.

 

When can I apply for a licence or permit?

The "first appointed day" on which Licence applications can be made to the Vale of Glamorgan Council has been set by the Government as the 21st May 2007. Permits will need to be applied for on different dates which will be published here as soon as they are made available.

 

What licences and permits are available under the 2005 Act?

A Premises Licence

  • Casino premises
  • Bingo premises
  • Betting premises, including tracks
  • Adult Gaming Centres (for category B3 C and D machines)
  • Family Entertainment Centre (for category C and D machines only)

 

Provisional Statement

Provides a person to make application to the licensing authority in respect of premises that he or she:

  • Expects to be constructed
  • Expects to be altered
  • Expects to acquire a right to occupy

 

A Permit

  • Alcohol licensed premises gaming machine permits
  • Prize gaming permits
  • Family Entertainment centre gaming machine permit (for category D machines only)
  • Club gaming permits and club machine permits

 

A Temporary Use Notice

  • For a premises where there is no premises licence but where a gambling operator wishes to use the premises temporarily for providing facilities for gambling
  • A maximum of 21 days per year for a premise

 

An Occasional Use Notice

  • For betting on a track without the need of a full premises licence
  • A maximum of 8 days per year (starting 1 January)
  • Notice must be served by a person who is responsible for the administration of events on the track or by an occupier of the track

Small Society Lotteries Registration

  • A lottery if established and conducted for charitable purposes, purposes of enabling participation in, or supporting, sport, athletics or a cultural activity or for any other non-commercial purpose other than that of private gain is a small society lottery
  • A lottery is small if the total value of tickets put on sale in a single lottery is £20,000 or less and the aggregate value of the tickets put on sale in a calendar year is £250,000 or less. Where tickets for a single lottery exceed £20,000 or the aggregate value of tickets in a year exceeds £250,000 a lottery is a large society lottery and a licence will be required from the Gambling Commission

 

Licensing Objectives

Each Licensing Authority - The Vale of Glamorgan Council in this case - is to carry out its duties with a view to promoting the three 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, and
  • Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling

 

The aim of these objectives is to ensure that everybody involved in the licensing regime is focused on common goals, essential to the fair balance of differing interests and the well being of our communities in relation to licensable activities.

 

Fees, forms and guidance

 

For further information please contact: 

Gambling Officer on Licensing@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or calling 01446 709105 or write to Licensing, Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU.