Gambling Act 2005

Under the Gambling Act 2005, the Council is responsible for issuing various licences, permissions, permits and notices relating to the use of premises for gambling activities within Erewash.

On 7 February 2005 the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) received Royal Assent and came into effect on 1st September 2007. The Act replaced most of the existing law about gambling in Great Britain and has put in place an improved, more comprehensive structure of gambling legislation.

Implementation of The Gambling Act 2005

The Act created a new independent regulatory body, the Gambling Commission (opens in a new window), which is the national regulator for commercial gambling in Great Britain.

The Act sets out three licensing objectives which underpin the functions that the Commission and Licensing authorities will perform. These objectives are central to the new regulatory regime. They are:

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; and
protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

It must be noted that public nuisance and public safety are not included in these objectives and the Council cannot take these into account in any representations that may be received when licences are applied for.

Gambling Premises and Permits

The Act also has also created a new role for local authorities in licensing gambling premises in their area. The Council is now responsible for the following:

Issuing premises licences for casinos, betting offices and race tracks, bingo clubs, adult gaming centres, family entertainment centres and provisional statements. See Premises Licence Applications. To view the Public Register of these applications please refer to Related Documents below.
Issuing permits for gaming machines in members' clubs and licensed premises (fruit machines or amusement with prizes - AWPs), gaming in members' clubs, prize gaming and unlicensed family entertainment centres. See Applications for Permits.
The registration of Small Society Lotteries, promoted on behalf of non-commercial societies. See the separate page for Lotteries.
Endorses Temporary and Occasional Use Notices. See Temporary and Occasional Use Notices.

Gambling on Licensed Premises

The Gambling Act 2005 also makes many changes to gambling on licensed premises. This will affect the playing of games such as Poker and bingo on alcohol-licensed premises. These games may now be played, but only for certain stakes and prizes. Please click on the links provided in Related Documents below to download a guidance document for gambling on licensed premises.

Further Information

For further advice or guidance on the Gambling Act please contact the licensing department using the details below.

Licensing Office
Operational Services
Erewash Borough Council
Town Hall
Long Eaton
Derbyshire
NG10 1HU

Email: licensing@erewash.gov.uk
Tel: 0115 907 1113

We are under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you provide on the above application forms for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.

For further information please visit www.audit-commission.gov.uk (opens in a new window).