The Gambling Act 2005 introduces a wholesale change in how gambling is licensed in Great Britain, bringing with it new responsibilities for the council as Licensing Authority.
About the Gambling Act
The Gambling Act is designed to modernise the UK’s existing laws on betting and gaming and will regulate all gambling in Great Britain except the National Lottery and Spread Betting.
The Act repeals the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, the Gaming Act 1968 and the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976. It introduces a unified regulator for gambling – the Gambling Commission, replacing the Gaming Board.
The Act transfers responsibility for gaming and betting premises from Magistrates Court licensing justices to local councils (licensing authorities).
New Licensing System
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for the law regulating gambling.
Gambling operators will require an operating licence and any relevant personal licences from the Gambling Commission.
Operators can then obtain a premises licence from their relevant Licensing Authority, which will be Eastbourne Borough Council for premises in Eastbourne - see Apply for a Premises Licence.
Licensing Objectives
Decisions by both bodies will be made in accordance with the three licensing objectives, which are:
Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder or being used to support crime
Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
Protecting children and vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling
Licensing Authorities will have a duty to promote the objectives and to permit gambling provided it is, as far as possible, consistent with them.
Appeals against decisions made by local councils (licensing authorities) are made to the Magistrates Court.
