FAQs
- 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
- issuing premises licences (in respect of casinos, bingo premises, betting shops, tracks, adult gaming centres, family entertainment centres)
- considering notices given for the temporary use of premises for gambling
- granting permits for gaming and gaming machines in clubs and in alcohol licensed premises
- granting permits to family entertainment centres for the use of certain lower stake gaming machines
- registration of small-scale society lotteries
- remote (online gambling);
- the National Lottery;
- gambling advertisements on television or other media;
- football pools;
- gaming machine manufacturers;
- gaming machine suppliers;
- gambling software;
- operating licences
Can you explain the roles of different bodies
It is important to note the different roles the Gambling Commission, and Licensing Authority play in the administration of the legislation when commenting on the Gambling Act policy document.
The Gambling Commission regulates gambling on a national level and is responsible for advising national and local government on gambling related issues. Gambling operators (e.g. William Hill and Coral) will require an operating licence and any relevant personal licences from the Gambling Commission, who then apply for a premises licence from the relevant Licensing Authority.
Harrow Council as the Licensing Authority have a duty under the legislation to licence premises in their area where gambling is to take place and to licence certain other activities such as registering small society lotteries. Decisions by the Licensing Authority and the Gambling Commission must be made in accordance with the three licensing objectives.
What are the licensing objectives under the Gambling Act?
The Gambling Act is based on three overriding objectives:
What functions are covered by this policy?
The Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) gives licensing authorities various regulatory functions in relation to gambling. The main functions of licensing authorities include:
It should be noted that Local Authorities do not regulate online gambling and activities listed below: