Delays to Gambling Act 2005

October 2006

The Government have recently put back the timetable for advanced transitional applications under the Gambling Act 2005.  The start date for any advanced applications was originally listed as 31st January 2007.  The Department of Media, Culture and Sport have announced that this date has been revised to 30th April 2007.  

There has been a similar alteration to the closing date which has been moved to 31st July 2007 (originally 27th April 2007).

The Government have confirmed that any application received by the closing date will extend the right to continue operating after the Act comes in to force on 1st September 2007, even where the application has not been finalised.  The date on which the new Act comes into force has not been changed, and fears have been expressed that the reforms may be the subject of similar problems to those experienced by Premises Licence holders under the Licensing Act 2003.  Long delays, and work pressures on the Local Authorities saw many licenses being issued well after the new Act had come into force.

Watch for further updates.

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