Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Licensing - Gambling
Gambling Act 2005
The Gambling Act 2005 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 Western Isles 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.
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
