The Act enters force in September 2007 bringing a unified approach to a previously disjointed legal regime. Gone are the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, the Gaming Act 1968 and the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976. Remote Gambling via the Internet and other means of communication is now also regulated. Offline and online Gambling will be under the auspices of the Gambling Commission.

With the exception of the National Lottery and Spread Betting, all forms of Gambling will be subject to the Act. Gambling includes a wide range of activities, notably prize competitions, course betting, lotteries, poker, casinos and gaming machines.

SGH can explain to you whether and how the Act affects you and what you need to do to comply.

For more information please email Simon Halberstam at simonh@sghlaw.com or call 020 7264 4500)

An accurate summary of the contractual terms on which Gambling is offered must be provided to customers "and set out in plain and intelligible language".

SGH can help you prepare appropriate Terms and Conditions.

For more information please email Simon Halberstam at simonh@sghlaw.com or call 020 7264 4500

Under the Act, all businesses which provide "Facilities for Gambling" and/or "Use Premises for Gambling" will need to be licensed. This applies whether or not you already run a Gambling operation. There are 3 main categories of licence:-

A. Operating Licence (issued by Gambling Commission)

B. Personal Licence (issued by Gambling Commission)

C. Premises Licence (issued by relevant Local Authority)

Applications for Operating and Personal Licences can be made between 3/1/07 and 27/4/07.

Applications for Premises Licences can be made from 30/4/07 onwards. For full chronology, click here

A fast-track service is available in certain circumstances.

If you fail to apply by the relevant deadline, you will have to cease operations.

Getting the application right is crucial. SGH can help you to make a successful licence application.

For more information please email Simon Halberstam at simonh@sghlaw.com or call 020 7264 4500

Part 16 of the Act provides a new regime for the advertising of Gambling. It creates new offences relating to the advertising of unlawful and foreign Gambling. Rules may be enshrined in Codes of Practice issued by the Gambling Commission. [ more]

For further information on any issue, please contact Simon Halberstam on 020 7264 4500 or at simonh@sghlaw.com

These are required for premises where gambling facilities/machines with very low stakes and prizes are provided, or premises where gambling is not the main function. Permits regulate Gambling and the uses of gaming machines in a specific set of premises.

For further information on any issue, please contact Simon Halberstam on 020 7264 4500 or at simonh@sghlaw.com