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The following are updates from the Gambling Commission. For further information on any of the following please contact Simon Halberstam at simonhalberstam@hotmail.co.uk or by phone on 020 7814 1258
June 2010
Regulatory returns: proposals for new templates
The Commission is consulting on proposals to introduce new templates for regulatory returns, to help some sectors of the industry provide the necessary information. The consultation focuses on the types of data the Commission is proposing to collect through the new templates, and whether the questions asked represent a proportionate and appropriate information request.
Occasional Use Notices (OUNs) consultation
The Commission is running a four-week consultation on proposals to introduce an additional operating licence condition, for non-remote betting operators, under Occasional Use Notices (OUNs). The Commission has become aware of OUNs being used in a way that was not envisaged.
Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU) terms of reference
The Commission’s SBIU collects information and develops intelligence about potentially corrupt betting activity involving sport.
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) forms are changing
Applicants submitting a licence application to the Gambling Commission (the Commission) which includes a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure application are being advised of changes that come into effect in July 2010.
British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2010
The fieldwork of the British Gambling Prevalence Survey (BGPS) 2010 has now been completed. The contractor of the survey, National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), has confirmed that the contracted sample of 7,500 has been slightly exceeded.
Over the summer the team at NatCen will standardise, weight and analyse the comprehensive data set. Following that, NatCen together with a team of academic advisors will be analysing the findings and drawing up a report. The full peer reviewed report of the survey will be published around the turn of the year, in February 2011. The full data set of the survey will be made available in the UK Data Archive.
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World Cup bets are fair and safe with licensed operators
At the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Commission is reminding gamblers to ensure their bet is fair and safe with a licensed betting operator.
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Final Commission open event
Places are available for the Commission's final open event in York on Monday 21 June.
The event closes a nationwide outreach programme that gives smaller licensed arcade, betting and gaming machine operators the chance to meet the Commission and discuss industry issues.
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Deadline for DCMS consultation
The deadline for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s public consultation on the feasibility of extending the existing licensing system for remote gambling to overseas-based operators that offer services to or advertise in the UK is Friday 18 June.
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May 2010
Newly approved casino games trials
The Commission has recently approved for trial two new side bets for casino games, one on American Roulette and one on Punto Banco, and a variation to Texas Hold Em. Further details are available on the Commission’s casino games trial webpage.
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Only four more Commission open events left
The Commission will be in Dunblane on Monday 17 May giving smaller licensed operators another opportunity to air concerns and suggestions regarding compliance with the Gambling Act 2005.
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Ministerial appointments
Jeremy Hunt has been appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media & Sport.
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April 2010
Tattersalls Committee issues revised rules on betting
Tattersalls Committee has published its revised Rules on Betting after an extensive consultation and review process. At the same time, the Committee unveiled its new website which may be found at www.tattersallscommittee.co.uk
Further details on the Rules on Betting and the consultation process may be found on the Tattersalls Committee website.
Regulatory returns reminder for operators
The Commission has written to a number of operators regarding the deadline for regulatory returns as many are due for submission shortly. As highlighted in the last edition of e-bulletin a consultation is currently open regarding an extension of the deadline for those submitting annual returns which would give operators 42 days instead of the current 28 days from the end of the annual period.
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Submit a regulatory return
Fairs and fairgrounds, a new quick guide
The Commission has published a quick guide leaflet to help the owners of travelling fairs and fairgrounds understand how the Gambling Act 2005 affects them.
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Pub betting reminder
During Grand National week, the Commission reminded bookmakers and landlords of the law on betting in pub premises.
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March 2010
Commission issues first cautions over illegal pub poker
The Commission has cautioned three men under the Gambling Act 2005 following a joint investigation with Cheshire Police and The Safer Halton Partnership into unlawful poker at a Runcorn pub.
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Bingo prize gaming
The Commission has issued new licences to 225 licensed bingo operators after Parliament approved a Department for Culture Media and Sport proposal to increase prize gaming limits in bingo clubs.
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Commission writes to industry about primary gambling activity
The Commission has written to trade associations regarding recent work on primary gambling activity.
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Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has published a Code of Best Practice on Service Charges, Tips, Gratuities and Cover Charges. The code applies to ‘all tipping sectors, including gambling and betting outlets’ and businesses adopting the code will provide information which will mean that both customers and workers are clear about how these systems are operated. Under the Gambling Act 2005, tipping of licensed staff is no longer prohibited, but a licence condition applies to the arrangements for tipping of these employees.
Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) welcomes the Advertising Association’s (AA) announcement recommending the extension of the CAP Code to cover marketing communications on companies’ own websites, including gambling companies.
Gambling operators prove safe bet in Manchester operation
As part of a wider community safety initiative led by Greater Manchester Police, the Commission visited more than 30 licensed gambling premises in Manchester City Centre.
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Commission launches an improved version of the fees calculator
The Commission has launched an improved version of the fees calculator to help operators more easily and accurately determine their fees.
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HM Revenue and Customs review of SWPs
HRMC has announced a review of Amusement Machine Licence Duty (AMLD) as regards skill with prize machines.
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For archived news (prior to March 2010) click here |