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For further information on any of the following please contact Simon Halberstam on 020 7544 5595 or at simonh@sghlaw.com Split premises and primary gambling activity We have released a consultation paper which proposes revisions to the Guidance to Licensing Authorities (Second Edition). There are also proposals to introduce new operating licence conditions contained in our Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice document. This consultation paper deals with two issues: · what is meant by a single premises; Licensing authorities, operators and other interested parties have asked us for further guidance, and so we have produced this paper to address the differences that have emerged in the handling of licence applications, as well as our concern that statutory provisions are not necessarily being correctly interpreted in this regard. Responses to this consultation are welcome from all interested parties. The consultation period lasts for 12 weeks and ends on 8 September 2008. Draft advice to police services released for comment The introduction of the Gambling Act 2005 in September 2007 overhauled the licensing arrangements of the gambling industry and created a new regulatory regime. It contains a range of powers for the British police services, including authority to enter premises to inspect gambling facilities where an offence under the Act is suspected to be taking place. We have published a draft reference document for the British police services, and we would like to get feedback on the content by 22 August 2008. Press release: Gaming machines seized in the North West The Gambling Commission has seized a number of gaming machines in a multi-agency operation in Oldham. The seizures were made as part of an investigation into the suspected unlawful supply of gaming machines to businesses in the North West. Contributions invited to cashless technologies in gambling review The Commission has contracted Dr Jonathan Parke from University of Salford to undertake a literature review of cashless technologies, especially where these have been used in the area of socially responsible gambling. This review will include looking at available literature as well as engaging with trade associations and other interested parties. In addition industry stakeholders are invited to participate in this project by completing a questionnaire. For further information contact Kati Virtaal Toohill. The Gambling Act 2005 (Commencement No. 8) Order 2008 – small and large casinos The Secretary of State has laid a Commencement Order, which activates the legislation for the new large and small casinos, allowing operators to apply for premises and provisional licences. Review of premises licence fees The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has now released the consultation responses to their Review of Local Authority Premises Licence Fees. The report states that based on the analysis of data, the introduction of the new system appears to be working well and has produced a good spread of fees across the regions. Average fees are falling comfortably below the maximum, and relatively few authorities are setting fees at the maximum for the two most common types of premises, many of which are run by smaller operators. DCMS considers that there is no need to further review the maxima at this stage with a view to any increase, as licensing authorities seem able to meet their costs within the parameters set under current regulations. Gambling Commission fees consultation closes 2 June 2008 Revisions to Guidance to Licensing Authorities consultation closes 30 May 2008 New rules for seaside arcades this summer THe Gambling Commission is reminding seaside arcade operators on the East Coast of their new responsibilities as the summer season steps up a gear over Whitsun Bank Holiday half-term. “Seaside arcades need to operate within the new rules which offer important protections for children and vulnerable people. Over the summer the Commission and local authorities will be working together in coastal areas to ensure operators are properly licensed or permitted and are operating in line with the new law. If operators are in any doubt about the requirements they should contact the Commission without delay.” Review of Research, Education and Treatment – Second consultation The paper argues for:
A responses form is available on the website, and respondents are encouraged to provide an executive summary if the response exceeds 1500 words. In-running betting issues paper now released It is intended to generate debate and provide Gambling Commission with information on a number of issues relating to the activity of betting in-running (in-play). Gambling Commission are looking at issues including technological advantages, trading rooms, time delays, potential for cheating and problem gambling. Your responses will provide Gambling Commission with evidence in order to decide whether any action is required to regulate the activity of in-running betting. Online returns system now takes Lottery Submissions If you run a licensed society lottery or are an external lottery manager, you now have the ability to submit your lottery submissions (formerly known as Lottery Returns) through Gambling Commission online returns system. Please register for Gambling Commission online returns system so you can submit your lottery draw details. This also allows you to complete your regulatory returns online. If you have already registered and received your registration details, you can now login and enter the details of your draws. Guidance on how to complete the form is available in the top right-hand corner of your screen once you start a new submission. We would also like to clarify one of the fields on the new lottery submissions. You are asked to enter the date of your next draw – this can be an estimated date up to a year in advance. Register for the online returns system… Revising Guidance to Licensing Authorities Gambling Commission are consulting on draft revisions to the second edition of the Guidance to Licensing Authorities. The first set of revisions is in respect of how licensing authorities should approach applications for a premises licence when the premises are not fully ready for operation. Gambling Commission indicated plan to revise the Guidance to Licensing Authorities in the light of a recent Judicial Review decision in a letter to LACORS and COSLA in January 2008. Guidance on definition of premises Gambling Commission have also issued a statement regarding intention to further revise the Guidance to Licensing Authorities, to make sure that our guidance accurately reflects the policy intentions of the Gambling Act 2005. The statement contains some guidance on the definition of premises, prompted by increasing numbers of premises licence applications being made to licensing authorities which appear to be in conflict with the intentions of Parliament. Amendments to Advice to Licensing Authorities on information exchange with the Gambling Commission The Commission has published a revised edition of its Advice to Licensing Authorities on information exchange with the Gambling Commission. The revisions are to include updated contact details for communication between local authorities and the Gambling Commission. Survey data on remote gambling participation Gambling Commission have released the latest quarterly study on participation in remote forms of gambling, from June 2007 - March 2008. It sets out the findings from questions asked through an omnibus survey conducted by ICM Research. The data is based on an updated sample of 8,000 interviews. Key findings
ASA upholds two complaints about Gambling advertisements The Advertising Standards Authority has recently upheld two complaints which have resulted in gambling advertisements being withdrawn. For further information on the adjudications, please see the Committee for Advertising Practice website.
Women and Gambling – cultural, social and industry perspectives The National Lottery Commission is hosting a unique conference on Tuesday 3 June to debate Women & Gambling - cultural, social and industry perspectives. The event brings together leading academics, gambling bodies, industry representatives, commentators and opinion formers to explore significant themes around female participation in both the National Lottery and gambling more widely. The conference will be held at the Cumberland Hotel in London. Radio 4 Women’s Hour presenter Jenni Murray, who has investigated the issue of women and gambling on her programme, will host the event. The conference is free to attend but places are limited - for more information please email, telephone on 02087 474316 or visit their website. New consultation: Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice 2008 Since the publication of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) in June 2007 a number of issues have been raised within the Commission and by external stakeholders. Some of these are to do with clarifying the meaning of certain provisions. There are also instances where new provisions are required or existing ones need amending. The Commission considers that there are enough of these issues to propose a revised version of LCCP. A consultation exercise is underway, during which stakeholders, including industry representatives and other interested parties, will have the opportunity to express their views about the proposals. We are planning a stakeholder workshop to be held in Birmingham on 12 June 2008. Please register your interest by email. The consultation lasts for 12 weeks and the closing date is Thursday 3 July 2008. Testing and audit requirements for remote lottery licensees The Gambling Commission has issued a letter clarifying the testing and audit requirements for lottery operators that run remote lotteries. This sets out the criteria that it will apply to remote lottery licensees (including external lottery managers) when determining the specific testing and audit arrangements required under Licence Condition 2 of their operating licence. Licensees will need to meet these criteria by 1 September 2008. Bingo premises licence applications under Gambling Act 2005 The Gambling Commission has released guidance to assist local authorities with determining bingo premises licence applications. This is to ensure the mandatory premises licence conditions for bingo premises are complied with. Local authorities will need to satisfy themselves that bingo can be played in any bingo premises for which they issue a premises licence. They may also need to consider whether bingo can be played when an existing bingo premises applies to vary their licence to exclude a certain area of the premises from its ambit. The operator may then apply for a new premises licence, or multiple licences, for an excluded area, and local authorities will need to satisfy themselves that bingo can be played in each of these areas. Local authorities may want to contact the applicant to discuss how they intend to ensure bingo can be played in the new bingo premises they applied for. The Commission also recommends that local authorities contact their local compliance manager to inform them. Letter to lottery operators concerning lottery returns The provision of betting facilities in licensed betting premises Gaming Machine Standards Supplement Casinos Areas Order confirmed Proposals for Gambling Commission fees from 1 August 2008 The Gambling Commission's fee arrangements are being reviewed. A consultation exercise, jointly with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is underway, during which stakeholders, including industry representatives and other interested parties, will have the opportunity to express their views about the proposals. The Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) allows DCMS to set fees which will cover the Gambling Commission's operating costs. The government believes that the full cost of providing all the regulation under the Act should fall on those who provide and engage in gambling activities, not the taxpayer. The consultation lasts for 12 weeks and the closing date is Monday 2 June 2008. Donald Sproson Or: Consultation Coordinator Letter to trade bodies on principal licensed activity at premises The Gambling Commission has released a letter to trade bodies on our current position regarding the legal status of premises existing under the Gambling Act 2005 premises licence, that do not provide their primary licensed activity, but do provide the gaming machine element for the type of licence (under section 172 of the Act). An example of this is where an operator holds a betting operating licence and obtains a betting premises licence, and in the premises provides four categories "B" gaming machines but no facilities for betting. We have concluded that an operator who intends to offer ancillary machines without the principal activity will be in breach of the premises licence mandatory and default conditions and would not be able to make use of their operating licence in these circumstances. We will be co-ordinating activity in this area with local authorities. Remote gambling equipment revised advice On 14 March 2008 the Commission published its revised ‘Remote gambling equipment’ advice note which sets out the Commission’s interpretation of the equipment meets the definition of remote gambling equipment (key equipment) as set out in the Gambling Act. This replaces the ‘Remote gambling equipment’ guidance note published in January 2007. The updated advice note contains four new sections which cover: · Facilities for gambling and remote gambling equipment Remote gambling operators should consider this advice note when completing their application for an Operating licence or when considering whether they need to apply for an operating licence from the Gambling Commission. Commission publishes information on illegal betting in pubs and clubs The Commission’s advice on gaming in clubs and alcohol licensed premises (including poker) has been updated to include additional material on participation in Bridge and Whist. Find out more… Effective governance underpins the management of well run organisations, whether in the public, private or voluntary sector. The Commission aims to ensure that it maximises the impact of its work, while discharging its statutory duties. In doing so, it seeks to work to high standards of corporate governance, so as to earn the confidence of its stakeholders. Regulatory returns impact assessment published In the recent Judicial Review claim brought by Betting Shop Services Limited against Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the Court made an order quashing the licensing authority’s original decision and remitted the case to the licensing authority for reconsideration in accordance with the law, including the Judgment of the Court in the case. It is clear from the Judgment that paragraphs 7.55, 7.56 and 7.57 of the Gambling Commission’s current Guidance to Licensing Authorities are based on a misunderstanding of the legal position. Therefore the Commission intends to: · Review paragraphs 7.11, 7.12, 7.55 to 7.58, as well as 11.1 to 11.10, of its Guidance in relation to the physical condition of premises which are subject to premises licences or provisional statement applications · Consult DCMS, the Scottish Government, COSLA, LACORS and others, in accordance with the requirements of section 25 of the Act, in relation to any proposed revisions to the Guidance; and · Consider any representations received and publish revised Guidance. We have published an open letter to inform licensing authorities of our intentions and to indicate our willingness to be consulted by licensing authorities on any particular problems presented by premises licence applications made during the interim period. The Gambling Commission requires a range of information from operators within the licensed gambling industry in order to monitor compliance with gambling legislation, regulations and licence conditions and codes of practice, and to inform our understanding of the industry. The following regulatory returns are available to complete online: · Adult Gaming Centres · Betting · Bingo · Casinos New additions: · Family Entertainment Centres · Remote · Gaming Machines Software Register to complete your regulatory returns online... Login to regulatory returns online... Guidance to Licensing Authorities – revision to second edition The Commission has since made a number of minor revisions to the second edition of 'Guidance to Licensing Authorities', to ensure it remains consistent with the content of the regulations. These revisions do not alter the scope or intent of the second edition of the 'Guidance to Licensing Authorities', nor do they introduce new areas of guidance or constitute a third edition. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has now confirmed that Tasmania will be added to the ‘Whitelist’ of countries or jurisdictions allowed to advertise remote gambling in the UK as if it were an EEA state. This decision follows a reconsideration of Tasmania’s application after the introduction of amending legislation to their tax regime. A full assessment of their application was made to ensure it met the Government’s ‘Whitelisting’ criteria published in January 2007. Regulations have been laid in Parliament and will come into effect in 21 days time on 31 January 2008. After this date, gambling operators licensed in Tasmania will be able to advertise their remote gambling services in the United Kingdom. After careful assessment of their representations against the published criteria, the Secretary of State has also decided not to whitelist Kahnawáke (Canadian reservation) or Antigua. The States of Alderney and the Isle of Man are the only two other jurisdictions to have previously been added to the whitelist. An announcement was made on this decision in August 2007. The effect of these decisions is that only gambling operators licensed in EEA countries (including Gibraltar), Alderney, Isle of Man or Tasmania can lawfully advertise gambling in the UK. The Gambling Act 2005 (Review of Premises Licences) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 The Commission has published this supplementary advice to the Memorandum of Advice, issued to Licensing Justices and Licensing Boards for the 2007 licensing sessions, to be used for the 2008 licensing sessions. The supplementary note outlines the arrangements for outstanding 1968 Act applications, and draws attention to additional advice that the Commission would like to give. Find out more… The purpose of the guidance is to set out how casino operators can and must comply with the Money Laundering Regulations and the Proceeds of Crime Act. Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice – Supplement 3: Revision of the Code of Practice on Financial Requirements for Casino Operators published The Commission will make the change with effect from 31 March 2008. This requirement is inconsistent with the provisions of the Gambling Act which only requires licensing authorities to give notice of their intention to conduct a review to the premises licence holder and not to responsible authorities. This inconsistency is corrected by the Gambling Act 2005 Premises Licences (Review) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 which were laid in Parliament in December 2007. The Commission has been asked to consider whether an operator requires a supplier's licence to provide a gaming machine in part exchange for another gaming machine. The Commission has also been asked whether section 16 or section 21 machines can be part-exchanged. An operator who provides a gaming machine in part exchange for another gaming machine, which is provided by a licensed supplier of such machines, will not require a supplier's licence or permit. Non-compliant section 16 or section 21 machines can also be part-exchanged. The Commission is aware that there has been some confusion about when a gaming machine is considered 'available for use' given that the Gambling Act 2005 says that only a limited number of certain categories of machines may be made 'available for use' on a premises. The Commission considers that a gaming machine is available for use if a person can play it. It follows that more than the permitted number of machines may be physically located on a premises, provided the operator has a robust system in place that ensures no more than the permitted number are 'available for use' at any one time. Lottery guidance for charity trading companies and sporting clubs: Gambling Act 2005 A question has arisen whether a charity's trading company or a sporting club can be regarded as established and conducted for a "non-commercial" purpose. This guidance sets out the Commission's viewpoint on these issues. Advice on gaming in clubs and alcohol licensed premises: Gambling Act 2005 Permits are required when premises provide a gambling facility but either the stakes and prizes are very low or gambling is not the main function of the premises. The permits regulate gambling and the use of gaming machines in specific premises. The purpose of this publication is to give licensing authorities some matters for consideration before a permit is issued and once the permission has been granted. This note should be read in conjunction with Part 25 of the Guidance to Licensing Authorities, the Gambling Commission’s code of practice on equal chance gaming and Schedule 12 of the Act which contains the provisions relating to club gaming permits and club machine permits. Advice on offering foreign gambling as prizes in competitions For example, a poker tournament played either at a UK Casino or online may offer the winner the chance to play in a cash prize tournament held outside the UK. In the Commission’s view, the offering of such a prize amounts to advertising of non-UK gambling, as defined by section 327 of the Gambling Act 2005. Unless the overseas tournament is based in the European Economic Area, Gibraltar, or in white-listed jurisdictions, the advert is likely to amount to the advertising of “foreign gambling”, which constitutes an offence under section 331 of the Gambling Act 2005. Operators should take steps to ensure that any advertising which they are responsible for complies with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005. Compliance and Enforcement: Impact Assessment published This Impact Assessment outlines the Gambling Commissions general approach to compliance and enforcement; the Commission considered a number of approaches and the regulatory impact of each proposal with its variant options. The Commission consulted on its proposals for compliance and enforcement in Parts 2 and 3 of the consultation document Licensing, Compliance and Enforcement, released on 31 May 2006. We subsequently published our responses document on these two parts, and our compliance and enforcement policy statement on 1 June 2007. This publication completes the suite of documents relating to our proposals for licensing, compliance and enforcement. The Gambling Act 2005 (Temporary Use Notices) Regulations 2007 The Gambling Act 2005 has been amended to include temporary use notices. These enable a person who holds an operating licence to give a temporary use notice in respect of their premises. The notice authorises the premises to be used for carrying on gambling activities during the period specified in the notice without an offence being committed, as it is unlawful to use premises for providing facilities for gambling without the appropriate premises licence. A Temporary Use Notice is regulated by your local authority. The fee for endorsing the notice may be no more than £500. The Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permits (Scotland) Regulations 2007 Holders of an "on-premises" alcohol licence can now apply for a licensed premises gaming machine permit from the relevant Licensing Board. These regulations set out the conditions of the permit, how to apply for one, and how to change the details of your permit. The application fee for existing pubs and clubs will be £100, new clubs and pubs will pay £150, and annual fees are set at £50 for all operators. The Club Gaming and Club Machine Permits (Scotland) Regulations 2007 A members' club or miners' welfare institute which holds a certificate of registration under section 105 of the 1976 Act, or a relevant alcohol licence, can now apply to their Licensing Board for a club gaming permit. These clubs, as well as commercial clubs, can also apply for a club machine permit. The application fee is £100 for clubs with existing permissions, and £200 for any other club, and the annual fee is set at £50. Updated guidance issued on prize competitions and free draws Updated guidance on where the boundary lies between lotteries, prize competitions and free draws under the provisions in the Gambling Act 2005 was published on 2 November 2007. The updated guidance addresses the two issues which the Commission said it would consider further when it published its initial guidance in June 2007. The key conclusions are: · multiple choice questions used in prize competitions should have sufficient numbers of plausible and relevant alternative answers.
Consultation on revision to the code of practice on financial requirements for Casino Operators released The Gambling Commission is proposing a change to the code provisions for casino operating licences (remote and non-remote). This new provision requires casino operators to act in accordance with guidance that the Commission is issuing on the Money Laundering Regulations (2007) which come into effect on 15 December 2007. Guide to gambling advertising codes published by the Commission The Commission has produced a guide which provides a brief outline to the advertising codes. From 1 September 2007 the Gambling Act 2005 has changed the advertising of gambling. The Gambling Commission has included provision within its Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice which requires licensees to comply with the advertising codes of practice which apply to the form and media in which they advertise their gambling facilities and services. Gambling Commission calls on the betting industry and sports bodies to work together to uphold integrity in sports betting The Commission has published a policy position paper on integrity in sports betting, and called for increased co-operation between licensed betting operators and sports governing bodies to promote the integrity of British sports betting. The Commission is working to uphold the integrity of sports betting in Britain. From 1 September 2007 the Commission has had the powers to act where there is a risk to its licensing objectives which includes ensuring that betting is fair, open and crime-free. The Commission has consulted widely on possible further activity and in a paper published on 4 October 2007 it concludes that more can be done to facilitate cooperation and shared understanding between betting operators and governing bodies. Read more: Press Release Premises licence register released by the Gambling Commission The Gambling Commission has released a list of operators for whom we have received a notification of application and/or grant of a premises licence, as part of our status as a responsible authority under section 157 of the Gambling Act 2005. The Commission provides some basic guidance on applying for a premises licence. In-depth queries about premises licences should be directed to the relevant local licensing authorities. Read more: Premises Licence Register The Gambling Act 2005 (Club Gaming and Club Machine Permits) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 Came into force on 8 October 2007, this corrects minor errors in the guidance notes on the application form prescribed in the original regulations, and remove now redundant references to applications made before 1st September 2007. Applications made on the existing form before these amendments come into force are still valid. Visit this statutory instrument in full here.
Gambling Commission requires legacy machines register The Commission requires a register of legacy machines in order to prevent further legacy machines being produced after 1 September 2007; and differentiate legacy machines from new machines which will be compliant with the technical standards that apply post 1 September. To download the legacy machines registration document and accompanying spreadsheet please visit: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Client/mediadetail.asp?mediaid=216 Financial conditions on gambling operators and personal licence holders Final RIA The Gambling Commission's financial requirements and conditions on gambling operators and personal licence holders were published on 17 August 2007. They cover the financial and related information required to assess licence applications, and the licence conditions for on-going monitoring of licensees and to inform the Commission's understanding of the industry. To download this document, please visit: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Client/detail.asp?ContentId=164 Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) Regulations 2007 The Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) Regulations 2007 came into force on 1 September 2007. These regulations control the circumstances in which a gaming machine is made available for use, including such matters as the display of information on the machine and the amount of money that may be deposited on a machine to pay a charge for use. To view the relevant Statutory Instrument, please visit: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20072319.htm Gaming Machine (Supply, etc.) Regulations 2007 The Gaming Machine (Supply, etc.) Regulations 2007 came into force on 1 September 2007. These regulations prohibit the use of credit and debit cards directly in gaming machines, thereby replicating the position under the current regime. To view the relevant Statutory Instrument, please visit: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20072320.htm Small Society Lotteries (Registration of Non-Commercial Societies) Regulations 2007 The Small Society Lotteries (Registration of Non-Commercial Societies) Regulations 2007 came into force on 1 September 2007. These regulations deal with the procedure under which non-commercial societies wishing to run small fundraising lotteries must register with their local authority. A small society lottery is one with proceeds of up to £20,000 (of which 20% must go to purposes for which the society is conducted), a maximum single prize of £25,000, and where the aggregate total of the lotteries promoted by the society in a year do not exceed £250,000. Regulations prescribe the application form and fees, and when the first annual fee must be paid. To view the relevant Statutory Instrument, please visit: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20072328.htm Gambling Act 2005 (Advertising of Foreign Gambling) Regulations 2007 The Gambling Act 2005 (Advertising of Foreign Gambling) Regulations 2007 came into force on 1 September 2007. These regulations specify which country or place is to be treated as if it were an EEA State for the purposes of the advertising of foreign (i.e. non-EEA) gambling. To view the relevant Statutory Instrument, please visit:http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20072329.htm Premise Licence Applications opened on 21st May 2007 Premises licences attract an annual fee. The amount of the fee is at
the discretion of the local authority, up to certain levels as
specified in The Gambling (Premises Licence Fees) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007. Guidance to licensing authorities part 2 (small society lotteries) published by the Commission. As part of the Gambling Act 2005, licensing authorities will have a range of new responsibilities To download this publication, please visit: Consultations, policy and publications timetable from the Commission The Gambling Commission website contains a consultation timetable that lists present and future Commission consultations, see it online at: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Client/detail.asp?ContentId=50 Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) announces new rules for gambling advertising To view the new rules within the advertising Codes, please go to www.cap.org.uk/gambling Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) release consultation on ‘The Gambling Act 2005: (Limits on Prize Gaming) Regulations’ To download a pdf version of the Gambling Commission E-Bulletin Special Edition containing further details click here DCMS releases new consultation paper ‘Definition of Dual-Use and Domestic Computers’ March 09 2007 The joint consultation document and draft regulatory impact assessment paper explains the Government’s approach to defining exceptions to the definition of gaming machine under the Act. Further details can be found in the Gambling Commission E-Bulletin Issue 23 click here New consultation from the Commission on ‘Updated guidance to Licensing Authorities on Tracks’ March 09 2007 This consultation paper sets out the Commission's guidance to licensing authorities in relation to premises licences for tracks. To view the consultation paper, please visit: DCMS Premises Licence Regulations Laid Feb 23 2007 The regulations for Inspections of Premises and Hearings for Applications have been laid and are now available on the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website. The Inspection regulations (England and Wales) set out the rules for inspection of premises to assess compliance or when an offence has been reported or suspected. The Hearings regulations set out the way in which Licensing Authorities must conduct a hearing if they have received representations from a member of the public or a responsible authority regarding the intention to open a gambling premises. To download the regulations for Inspection of Premises, please visit: To download a pdf version of the Gambling Commission E-Bulletin Issue 22 click here HM Treasury consultation on Remote Gaming Duty Feb 09 2007 HM Treasury have invited comment on draft legislation for Remote Gaming Duty that will be introduced by the Finance Bill 2007. This will affect online gaming operators. The paper outlines the key features of the proposed tax arrangements and responses are required by February 19, 2007. http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/downloadFile?contentID=HMCE_PROD1_026755 To download a pdf version of the Gambling Commission E-Bulletin Issue 21 click here For further information on the above please contact Simon Halberstam on 020 7544 5595 or at simonh@sghlaw.com Gambling Commission publishes Licensing and Regulation Principles Statement - Jan 07 This document sets out the principles to be applied by the Gambling Commission in exercise of its functions under the Gambling Act 2005. To view this and the statement of supporting principles , click here For further information on the above please contact Simon Halberstam on 020 7544 5595 or at simonh@sghlaw.com Fee structure for Operating and Personal Licences - Dec 06 The Gambling Commission has announced the Fees payable for Operating and Personal Licences. Operating Licences There will be two types of Fees payable for operating licences - a one off application Fee and an annual Fee. Fees are set for types A-E for Non-Remote operating licences and types F-H for Remote operating licences. The calculation can be quite complicated and various criteria including Gamblng Yield, Number of Premises and Working Days may play a role in working out what is due. For further information, see http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Client/detail.asp?ContentId=139 Personal Licences As regards Personal Licences, there will be Application and Renewal Fees. The Application Fees will be as follows:- Personal Management Licence £330 Personal Functional Licence £165 The Maintenance Fees will be payable every 5 years from the issue of the licence holder's first licence under the Gambling Act 2005. The Commission will contact the licence holder in order to institute a review of the licence and the maintenance Fee will be payable at that point. Personal Licence Exemption for Small-Scale operator exemption - Dec 06 The Gambling Act 2005 (Definition of Small-Scale Operator) Regulations 2006 exempts small-scale operators from the need to hold Personal Licences in addition to their Operating Licence. For further information, see http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Client/detail.asp?ContentId=126 |