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Gambling Act 2005

The Gambling Act was passed by  Parliament in April 2005 and introduced changes in how gambling is licensed in Great Britain. 

A new Gambling Commission was established to regulate the types of gambling facilities that are offered and the people and organisations who offer them.

 

It also bought new powers to licensing authorities (such as Maldon District Council) who are already responsible for implementing the Licensing Act 2003.


The initial implications for the Council will centre on the preparation and publication of a three-year Statement of Licensing Principles which must set out how the Licensing Authority intends to exercise its new functions. You can view this Statement from this page. 

 

The Licensing Authority’s main function after publishing this Statement (its Policy) on 2 January 2007 is to consider and issue Premises Licences for Casinos, Betting Offices, Bingo Clubs, Adult Gaming Centres, and Family Entertainment Centres in the Maldon District.  It will also issue Permits for Gaming Machines in members’ clubs and licensed premises, Prize Gaming and Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centres and will continue to register Small Society Lotteries.

 

It will also have responsibility for monitoring and enforcing the Licences and Permits it issues – all under the following three new 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; and

  • Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The Gambling Commission published its guidance to Licensing Authorities in April 2006 and Licensing Authority was required to have its Policy in place by 31 January 2007 to be ready to receive applications.  All new licences will then come into effect on 1 September 2007.

 

Statement of Licensing Principles

 

The Licensing Authority was required to consult widely on its Draft Statement of Licensing Principles and did this between 12 June and 4 September 2006.

 

The Statement was published on 2 January 2007 and came into effect on 31 January 2007. It can be inspected by the public at reasonable times at the following locations between these two dates.

 

  • Maldon District Council - Council Offices, Princes Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 5DL
  • Maldon Town Council - Town Council Offices, Town Hall, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex CM9 4RL
  • Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council - Council Offices, Chapel Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8AD
  • Maldon Library - Carmelite House, White Horse lane, Maldon, Essex CM9 5FW
  • Burnham-on-Crouch Library - 103 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8HQ
  • Southminster Library - Queenborough Road, Southminster, Essex CM0 7AD
  • Wickham Bishops Library - School Road, Wickham Bishops, Witham, Essex CM8 3NU

Further information on the details and implications of the new licensing regime can be obtained by contacting the Licensing Officers on 01245 606727.

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