Gambling Act 2003

Every aspect of gambling law has been re-written and a new system will come fully into operation, from 1^st September 2007. This will impact on betting shops, bingo halls, amusement arcades and on pubs and clubs with gaming machines.

As with drinks licensing, control is being shifted away from the magistrates court. A difference this time is that the new responsibilities will be shared between local councils and a new organisation called the Gambling Commission. There will be areas of overlap but the basic idea is that the Gambling Commission will take the lead if they think a game of blackjack is being rigged or if they think a company is run or influenced by organised crime. Councils on the other hand will focus on which premises will be allowed to operate as betting shops and how many gaming machines will be allowed in a particular pub.

The Gambling Commission have started to process applications for Operating Licences – each of the big bingo hall operators and betting shop chains will have just one Operating Licence, allowing them to trade.

We are now accepting applications for Premises Licences under the new system, from people who already run gaming premises in Swindon. This is to ensure that they have the right paperwork from September onward.

To make things easier it will be possible for pubs, clubs and charity lotteries to use their ‘old’ permits until they finally run out. Only then will they have to get a permit under the new system.

In Swindon, launderettes, taxi offices and fast food take-aways have never been allowed to install gaming machines. The Council has always had a strict policy on that. From September, there will be a level playing field because all councils will bar gaming machines from those premises.

In its role as licensing authority, the Council will have very little influence over the outcome of gambling licence applications because most issues are decided for us by the regulations. Nevertheless a policy statement has been drawn up to indicate how the Licensing Committee will deal with matters which are referred to them. You can look at this policy statement by clicking on the link below.

Gambling Policy Statement