The Gambling Act 2005 will have the effect of modernising the legislation governing all types of gambling.
Epping Forest District Council is required under the Act to:
- Be responsible for the licensing of premises where gambling activities are to take place by issuing Premises Licences
- Issue Provisional Statements
- Regulate members’ clubs and miners’ welfare institutes who wish to undertake certain gaming activities via issuing Club Gaming Permits and / or Club Machine Permits
- Issue Club Machine Permits to Commercial Clubs
- Grant permits for the use of certain lower stake gaming machines at unlicensed Family Entertainment Centres
- Receive notifications from alcohol licensed premises (under the Licensing Act 2003) of the use of two or fewer gaming machines
- Grant Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permits for premises licensed to sell / supply alcohol for consumption on the licensed premises, under the Licensing Act 2003, where more than two machines are required
- Register small society lotteries below prescribed thresholds
- Issue Prize Gaming Permits
- Receive and Endorse Temporary Use Notices
- Receive Occasional Use Notices
- Provide information to the Gambling Commission regarding details of licences issued (see section above on ‘information exchange)
- Maintain registers of the permits and licences that are issued under these functions
The Licensing Authority will not be involved in licensing remote gambling or individuals who operate gambling premises at all. This falls to the Gambling Commission via Operator Licences.
In exercising most of their functions under the Gambling Act 2005, Epping Forest District Council, as the licensing authority, must have regard to the licensing objectives as set out in section 1 of the Act.
The licensing objectives 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
Click here to view the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles
How will the scheme be administered?
Application will be made to the District Council who will issue the licences. In most cases, applications will be considered by officers. Where representations are received, however, applications will be decided by Councillors meeting as a sub-committee.
Where can I get more information on the Act and guidance?
Further information can be found on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website at: www.culture.gov.uk/gambling_and_racing