Gambling

Gambling Act 2005

This new legislation will merge Gaming Betting and Lotteries under one Act.  It will be administered jointly by The Gambling Commission and Local Authorities.  The Gambling Commission is the new regulator which was set up in October 2005 to regulate all commercial gambling in Great Britain thus taking over from the old Gaming Board of Great Britain.

The Gambling Commission will be responsible from issuing and overseeing Operator and Personal licences.  They will also issue Guidance.

The Local Authority will be responsible for licensing the place where the gambling takes place – Premises Licence and Permits.

The new Gambling Act received royal assent on 7 April 2005 and will come into force on 7 September 2007.  There will be a transitional period from 31^st January 2007 for premises to apply for the new premises licence.

1. Section 349 requires all local authorities to prepare and publish a statement of licensing policy by 31 December 2006 and every three years thereafter.   Before determining its first policy, the licensing authority must consult with:

• The chief of Police
• One or more persons who appear to the authority to represent the interests of persons carrying on gambling businesses in the area
• One or more persons who appear to the authority to represent the interests of persons who are likely to be affected by the exercise of the authority’s functions under this Act.

You can view North Dorset District Council’s Gambling Policy here.

Should you wish to make any comment regarding the policy please write to Mrs Loretto Dennigan, Environmental Health & Licensing, North Dorset District Council, Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7LL.

Gambling Fees

Registration of Lotteries and Amusements

You must be registered for running a raffle or any event that involves the sale of tickets and an element of chance. All lotteries etc, held under this registration must have properly printed tickets, the name of the society, the promoter’s name and address, the name of the Council which has registered the charity, the date of the lottery and the price of the ticket (which must not exceed the legal maximum limit).

If the raffle tickets are sold and the raffle drawn on the same day as, for example, at dinner dances or garden fetes, then a certificate of registration may not be required.

Once registered, societies have to submit a return after each lottery showing the amounts collected, the amount spent on prizes and any expenses concerned with conducting the lottery.

All registrations remain in effect until they are surrendered or cancelled.  A fee of £40 is payable for initial registration and thereafter a fee of £20 is due annually.

Application form

Guidance notes for lotteries

Gaming Machines Permits For Amusement with Prizes Machines

Section 34 and Schedule 9 of Gaming Act 1968

In respect of the Council’s powers under the Gaming Act 1968 regulating the granting of permits for gaming machines, this Council adopted a policy that no permits for gaming machines be granted in respect of any premises except those defined in Classes

C1 (hotels or boarding or guest house where in each case no element of care is provided.)

C2 (Residential Institutions)

D2 (premises for assembly and leisure)

Of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning Act (Use Classes) Order 1987 amended 1994.

Any application in respect of the Classes mentioned will be considered on their merit and if granted will be limited to one machine per premise.

Any premises seeking a permit for AWPs which have the benefit of a liquor licence should make an application to the Licensing Justices at the Magistrates Court.

Gaming Machines Application