When did the Act come into force?

As of the 30 April 2007, we started to receive applications under the Gambling Act 2005 for permissions from amusement arcades, casinos, bookmakers, tracks and sporting sites, bingo halls and pubs/clubs wanting to have gaming machines.

The new law took effect from 1 September 2007, when all commercial gambling in premises transferred from the Magistrates Courts to the Gambling Commission and Local Authorities.

How will this work?

The Gambling Commission is responsible for issuing operating licences and personal licences as well as the regulation of remote gambling including gambling via the Internet, telephone, TV, computer etc.

We are responsible for issuing premises licences, permits and other authorisations.

A list of fees relating to the Gambling Act 2005 is available on the Environmental Health Fees and Charges page.

How will we decide premises licence applications?

In deciding premises licence applications, we will use codes of practice and guidance issued by the Gambling Commission, our Statement of Principles and the three licensing objectives:

• 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.

Our Statement of Principles

Our Statement of Principles outlines what authorisations a premise will need, the standards we expect and how we will determine applications for licences required under the Gambling Act 2005:

• permits and premise licences for betting premises and tracks;
• family entertainment centres;
• adult gaming centres (amusement arcades);
• gaming machines in alcohol-licensed premises; and
• registration of small society lotteries.

The revised statement came into effect in 2022.