The Gambling Act 2005

Hackney Council becomes a Licensing Authority under the Gambling Act 2005. This new legislation from the Government gives responsibility for issuing gambling premises licences and a range of permits to local authorities. This means that from 2007 the Council’s Licensing Committee will become responsible for granting premises licences for:

• Bingo premises
• Betting premises, including tracks (for e.g. horse or dog racing)
• Adult gaming centres
• Family entertainment centres

As well as issuing a range of permits and notices for gambling activities.

Operating licences and personal licences will be issued by the Gambling Commission, the new national regulator for gambling established by the Act. The Commission will also be responsible for regulating online gambling.

The Act makes clear that when Licensing Authorities are carrying out their duties to licence premises and issue permits that they have to bear the following objectives in mind:

• To prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime;
• To ensure that gambling is carried out in a fair and open way;
• To protect children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

More information

If you require further information or have any queries about this, please contact the Licensing Service (contact details top right of this page).

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Page updated: 16 Feb 2010