Slough Borough Council: Gambling Act 2005

Gambling Act 2005

The Gambling Act 2005 fundamentally changes the way all matters connected with gambling are dealt with.

It has for the first time given local authorities powers to licence all the different gambling premises in their area. The Gambling Act 2005 came into effect in September 2007.

The Gambling Act 2005 placed a duty on authorities to prepare and publish a statement of principles that will come into effect in January 2007. Our statement is available for download below.

The main functions of the licensing authority under the act are to:

license premises for gambling activities
consider notices given for the temporary use of premises for gambling
grant permits for gaming and gaming machines in clubs and miners’ welfare institutes
regulate gaming and gaming machines in alcohol licensed premises
grant permits to family entertainment centres for the use of certain lower stake gaming machines
grant permits for prize gaming
consider occasional use notices for betting at tracks
register small societies lotteries.

In carrying out these functions the licensing authority must promote the three licensing objectives, which are:

preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder, or being used to support crime
ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

You can download the gambling register below.