GAMBLING BILL - UPDATE
ISSUE OF EXPLANATORY NOTES

On the 18th October 2004, the Government issued explanatory notes relating to the Gambling Bill. The draft Gambling Bill was first published in November 2003.

You will no doubt have read in the press recently the furore the recent guidance has provoked.

The aim of the bill, if passed by Parliament, is to provide a unified regulator for gambling in Great Britain known as the Gambling Commission. This will take responsibility from the Licensing Justices in the Magistrates Courts.

The Commission will not regulate spread betting or the National Lottery.

The Commission will be responsible for granting the new types of licences being Operating Licences and Personal Licences for commercial gambling. The Commission will also have other duties. The Bill sets out different types of Operating Licences for the full range of commercial gambling.

The Bill proposes to revise gambling so there is the removal of “permitted areas” in Great Britain so, in theory, applications for casinos can be made in any area subject to Planning and other regulations. This is perhaps the most contentious area of the Bill and may change!!

More...

Back | Next