Gambling Act 2005
The Gambling Act 2005 replaced the existing laws about gambling in Great Britain with an improved, more comprehensive structure of gambling regulation. South Ribble Borough Council is the Licensing Authority for this area and is working with the new national gambling regulator, the Gambling Commission.
There are three 'Licensing Objectives' under the Act:
- 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 Gambling Commission
The Gambling Commission will issue personal licences, operating licences, statutory guidance and codes of practice and will investigate illegal gambling and have powers of prosecution.
Licensing Authorities
The Council, as Licensing Authority, is responsible for determining applications for Premises Licences in respect of betting offices, race tracks, casinos, bingo clubs, adult gaming centres and family entertainment centres. The Council will also issue Permits for gaming machines in members' clubs and licensed premises.
Additionally, the Council is responsible for administering 'Temporary Use Notices' and 'Occasional Use Notices' and registering Small Society Lotteries.
The Licensing Authority cannot become involved in the moral issues relating to gambling and must aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as they think it is:
- in accordance with any relevant codes of practice;
- in accordance with any relevant Guidance issued by the Gambling Commission;
- reasonably consistent with the Licensing Objectives; and
- in accordance with the Licensing Authority's Statement of Licensing Policy.
Before the Licensing Authority can consider an application for a Premises Licence, the applicant must have obtained an Operating or Personal Licence, or both, from the Gambling Commission.
Licensing Policy Statement
The Licensing Authority is required to prepare and publish a licensing policy statement that it proposes to apply when exercising its functions under the Act. The licensing policy statement will last for a maximum of three years but can be reviewed and revised by the Licensing Authority at any time, for instance in the light of feedback from the local community on whether the statutory objectives are being met.
The Council's Gambling Act 2005 Policy can be downloaded here.
Hard copies of the Policy is available upon request from the Licensing Authority.
If you should require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Licensing Unit.
E-mail: licensing@southribble.gov.uk
or by Telephone: 01772 625580
or in Writing:
Licensing Unit
South Ribble Borough Council
Civic Centre
West Paddock
Leyland
PR25 1DH
Last updated: 20 December 2012
