Gambling

The Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) replaces most of the existing law about gambling in Great Britain and puts in place a more comprehensive structure of gambling regulation.

The Act introduces a single regulator for gambling in Great Britain, the Gambling Commission, and a new licensing regime for commercial gambling (to be conducted by the Commission or by Licensing Board, depending on the matter to be licensed).

The Act removes from Local Authorities all responsibility for granting gaming and betting permissions.  Instead, the Highland Licensing Board will have responsibility for all those matters undernoted.

Premise and Permit Licence holders, ourselves and other agencies must all work to promote the three Gambling Licensing objectives which 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

There will be a transitional changeover from the existing legislation to the new regime and we have been required to produce a Statement of Gambling Licencing Policy prior to us taking applications from 21st May, 2007.

We will undertake various regulatory functions in relation to a number of gambling activities and we will be responsible for :

(a) Premises Licences
(b) Gaming Centres
(c) Licensed Family Entertainment Centres
(d) Bingo Premises
(e) Betting Premises
(f) Track licences
(g) Travelling Fairs
(h) Temporary and Occasional Permits
(i)  Licensed premises, Gaming Machine Permits
(j)  Prize Gaming Permits
(k) Club, Gaming and Club Machine Permits
(l) Small Lotteries

Donald Somerville
Clerk to The Highland Licensing Board
Town House
INVERNESS
IV1 1JJ

E-mail: donald.somerville@highland.gov.uk