The results from our casino consultation can be viewed below:
For more information on these results please contact Bob Mattock on 01483 444387 or email Robert.Mattock@guildford.gov.uk.
Key Issues
The Gambling Act 2005 completely changes the way in which gambling is regulated in Great Britain, and brings with it new areas of responsibility for licensing authorities. In this area the licensing authority will be Guildford Borough Council.
The government’s policy on gambling is based on the 3 broad objectives set out in the Gambling Act:
- 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.
One key element of the Gambling Act is the new role of licensing authorities in relation to casinos. New powers are to be given to licensing authorities to
- Issue premises licences for casinos – under the previous gambling laws, casinos could only be located in the ‘permitted areas’ set out in legislation. Guildford is not currently a permitted area
- Resolve not to issue any (further) casino premises licences in their area
The Act creates 3 new categories of casino, and initially allows premises licences to be issued for a total of 17 new casinos across the country: 1 regional, 8 large and 8 small casinos*. A cap has been placed on the initial number of new casinos so that the Government may assess their impact upon problem gambling.
*the 3 new categories of casinos will differ in their size and entitlement to gambling facilities:
- The regional casino will have a minimum total customer area of 5,000sq (a minimum of 1,500sqm must be for non-gambling activities), and will be permitted up to 1,250 unlimited jackpot gaming machines.
- Large casinos will have a minimum total customer area of 1,500sqm (a minimum of 500sqm must be for non-gambling activities), and be permitted up to 150 gaming machines, with a maximum of jackpot of £4,000.
- Small casinos will have a minimum total customer area of 750sqm (a minimum of 250sqm must be for non-gambling activities), and be permitted up to 80 gaming machines, with a maximum jackpot of £4,000.
The one regional and eight large casinos will be permitted to offer bingo, and all three categories will be permitted to offer betting.
The Act allows for the number of casinos to be increased, although the government has indicated that it has no current plans to do so.
An independent panel will advise the government where the new casinos should be located, and this panel will be asked to identify areas for the new casinos which will provide a good range of types of areas and a good geographical spread of areas across Britain. The primary consideration of the panel will be to ensure that the areas identified satisfy the best possible test of social impact. They will also need to take into account the potential for regeneration in the areas.
Any area will be able to make its case to the panel for a new casino, although local authorities unwilling to license a new casino will not be considered.
Further information
Further information on the Gambling Act 2005 can be obtained from the following sources:
Please contact the Licensing Team for further information:
Licensing Team
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444371
Email: licensing@guildford.gov.uk