The Gambling Act 2005 (opens in a new window) governs all gambling in Great Britain except the National Lottery and spread betting, and covers:
- Gambling premises licence
- Gaming machines
- Lottery registration.
The Gambling Commission (opens in a new window) regulates the gambling industry and is responsible for issuing operating licences and personal licences. Local authorities (licensing authorities) are responsible for issuing premises licences, permits and other required authorisation.
The Gambling Act 2005 requires each local authority to publish a Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles 2022-25 outlining how the authority will deal with applications, which is reviewed every three-years. The current statement of principles for gambling licensing came into effect on 15 February 2023. It is valid for three years. A Gambling Act 2005 Local Area Profile 2022-25 has also been published concurrently with the Gambling Act Statement of Licensing Principles.
Categories of licence
The Gambling Act 2005 (opens in a new window) provides for three categories of licence:
- Operating licences - Individuals and companies who intend to provide facilities for certain types of gambling. These licences cover the principal commercial forms of gambling operation.
- Personal licences - These are granted to individuals. For each operating licence at least one person should hold a specified management office and must hold a personal licence from the commission.
- Premises licences - These will be granted by licensing authorities and may authorise facilities in certain types of premises.
Responsibility for administration is shared between local authorities and the Gambling Commission (opens in a new window).
Licensing objectives
The Act sets out three gambling objectives that we have a duty to promote. These are:
- Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime and disorder or being used to support crime.
- Ensuring gambling is conducted in a fair and open away.
- Protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
