Gambling Act 2005 - Betting Premises

The Gambling Act 2005 will be fully implemented on 01 September 2007 and applications can now be made under the Act. The Licensing Authority is responsible for issuing of Premises Licences for Off track betting premises (more commonly called Licensed Betting Offices).

Existing Operators

• Premise Licence - Apply to your Licensing Authority before 31 July 2007 for continuation rights and before 01 September 2007 for grandfather rights.
• Operating & Personal Licence - Apply to the Gambling Commission.

New Operators

• Premise Licence - Apply to your Licensing Authority under the new Act.
• Operating & Personal Licence - Apply to the Gambling Commission.

The holder of a Betting Premises Licence may make up to 4 gaming machines of Category B2, B3, B4, C or D available for use.

Where a machine is made available to take bets on virtual races it is deemed to be a gaming machine and must comply with the conditions and restrictions on the appropriate category of gaming machines

Betting machines, where a machine accepts bets on live future events, are not gaming machines and, as such, do not count towards the 4 gaming machines that may be made available. Neither do they have to comply with limits on stakes or prizes.

Licensing Authorities have powers to restrict the number of betting machines, their nature and circumstances in which they are made available by attaching a condition to the Premises Licence.

Fees

Forms to Download

Forms are available from the DCMS (Department of Culture, Media and Sports) website. Please click here for DCMS Website.

Contact Details:

Licensing Team  Environmental Services
Environment and Planning
Shepway District Council
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone, CT20 2QY

01303 853526/853407

01303 853294

 licensing @ shepway.gov.uk

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