The Gambling Act 2005 received Royal Assent on the 7 April 2005 and has reformed the process of applications made currently under the Betting,  Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, the Gaming Act 1968 and the Lotteries and  Amusements Act 1976.

The Gambling Act becomes fully operational on the 1 September 2007, when  all commercial gambling in premises will need to be licensed. The  responsibility for licensing of such premises will pass from the Magistrates’  Court to the Licensing Authority.  

However, from the 21 May 2007, Nottingham City Council will start to receive applications under the new regime from applicants that currently operate licences or permits under existing legislation. The Licensing Authority will  determine and issue Premises Licences, Permits, Permissions and register Small Society Lotteries.

The Gambling Commission will be responsible for the issue of Operating Licences and Personal Licences for commercial gambling operators and personnel working within the industry.

The Gambling Commission will also regulate remote gambling to include telephone, internet, computer gambling etc.

In exercising certain functions under the Gambling Act 2005, licensing authorities 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

In carrying out it’s licensing functions under the Act the Authority will have regard to the guidance and codes of practice issued by the Gambling Commission and to the Statement of Gambling Principles.

Our policy is available on the website (see link to the left) or by contacting the Licensing Office on 0115 9156031.

Copies of the Gambling Act 2005 can be obtained from Her Majesty’s Stationary Office website and from Stationary Office bookshops.

Useful websites:

Department of Culture Media and Sport http://www.culture.gov.uk

Gambling Commission http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk

Her Majesty’s Stationary Office http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2005/20050019.htm