Gambling Act
About the Act
The Gambling Act 2005 has consolidated previous gambling
legislation into a single statute. It also set up a new
regulatory authority, The Gambling
Commission.
Dover District Council has been designated
as the licensing authority under the provisions of the Gambling Act
2005 for the area covered by this council. The Licensing
Committee set up under the Licensing Act 2003 also administers the
Gambling Act 2005. As with the Licensing Act 2003 the elected
members that sit on the committee must exercise their powers
without regard to party politics.
The Licensing Authority is also responsible
for setting the Statement of Principals and
Policy under the Gambling Act 2005. This policy
sets our how the Licensing Authority will aim to achieve the
licensing objectives and must be reviewed every three years.
In practice it is under constant review by the elected members and
Licensing Team as matters pertinent to it arise.
Licences
There will be three types of licences issued under the Act:
Local authorities may also issue a number of permits in relation
to lower risk gambling activities.
Licensing Objectives
The Gambling Act 2005 sets three licensing objectives:
- (a) Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or
disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to
support crime;
- (b) Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way,
and
- (c) Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being
harmed or exploited by gambling.
These objectives are the cornerstones of the
Gambling Act 2005. Organisations or persons who are providing
facilities for gambling should seek to actively promote these
objectives and should ensure that the provisions of the Gambling
Commission’s Social Responsibility Code are being followed.
These include providing details of organisations that can assist
gamblers who are vulnerable to the effects of not being to control
their gambling.
Contact the Licensing Section
Telephone: 01304 872295
E-mail: licensing@dover.gov.uk
