in this edition news - gambling commission€¦ · following that meeting betwatch banning notices...
TRANSCRIPT
In this edition...
News• Consultationonnewlotterycodesofpractice• Onlinetoolforconsumercomplaints• Six-monthlyLondonboroughs’meeting• Commission’snewenforcementstrategy
Case studies • NewIllegalmachinesoperation–LondonBoroughofHackney
• NewIllegalgamblingden–Metpolice• NewBetwatchactsagainstdrugdealers–WestMidlands
• NewTestpurchasing–EastNorthamptonshire• NewIllegalbettinginpub-Bradford
Advice and guidance updates• NewPolicepowersquickguide• NewThirdpartypokerinclubs-templateletter• NewDirectaccessreminder• NewReminderrepermitrenewalprocess
Information sharing • NewPreventinggamblingharminLondoncommunities:outreachsupportandtraining
• NewCommission’sannualreport• NewNewmoneylaunderingrequirementsinplace
• UpdatedGamblingtrainingmodulesforLAs
Reference materials• PrimaryAuthority(PA)FAQs• ListofPrimaryAuthoritygamblingagreements• UpdatedPrintfriendlyquickguidesandtemplateletters
• Licensingauthorityinspectionoutcomelettersandinspectionguidance
• GamblingActstatutorynoticesandforms• Premiseslicenceregister• Findoperatinglicenceholders• Changeoflicensingpersonnel?• JoinourLinkedIngroup
licensing authority bulletinSummer 2017
Consultation on new lottery codes of practiceWehavepublishedaconsultationproposingtoimprovetransparencyforsocietylotteryplayers.
Theproposedrequirementslooktoensurelotteryoperatorsprovideconsumerswithmoreinformationabouthowlotteryproceedsareusedandwhatgoodcausethelotteryisraisingfundsforby:• publishingannuallythepercentageofall
lotteryticketsales(proceeds)thatarereturneddirectlytothepurposesofthesocietyorappliedtothepurposesforwhichthelocalauthorityhasthepowertoincurexpenditure
• requiringallthosepromotinglotteriesaspartofabrandedlotteryschemetomakeitcleartoconsumersthenameofthesocietywhoselotterytheyareparticipatingin,beforetheypurchaseaticket.
Theconsultationalsoclarifieswhatweregardasinstantwinandlowfrequencylotteries,toreflectthechangesmaderecentlytotheRemoteTechnicalStandards,aswellasreinforcethechangespublishedaspartofthereviewofourregulatorydatacollectionrequirements.
News
licensing authority bulletin
Weexpectoperatorstobemoretransparentaboutthenatureofthegamblingproductstheyoffertoconsumers,andencourageevensmallsocietylotteryoperatorsregisteredwithlocalauthoritiestoequallyconsiderhowtheycangivemoreinformationtoplayersaboutthelotteriestheyrunandtheamountreturnedtogoodcauses.Asamatterofbestpractice,localauthoritiesshouldencouragesmallsocietiestopublishinanappropriateformattheproportionoflotteryproceedsthatarereturnedtothepurposesofthesociety,aswellasconsiderhowbesttoensuretheirlottery–ifrunaspartofabrandedlotteryscheme–ismarketedinawayastobringthenameofthesocietytotheattentionoftheplayer.
Changestolotteryrequirementsshouldcomeasnosurprisetomuchofthesector-inMay2017,SarahHarrison,CEOoftheGamblingCommission,toldthelotterysectorinherkeynotespeechattheLotteriesCouncilannualconferencethat:
“Theroleyouplaytogeneratefundsforgoodcauses;themotivationofthosewhosupportyou,andthetrustpeopleputinyoutodeliver,placesahighpremiumonthestandardsbywhichyouneedtooperate-specificallythetransparencyofkeyterms,andcontributionstogoodcauses.
Thelawrequiresaminimumof20%ofproceedsinalotterytobereturnedtogoodcauses…Wewantoperatorstoraisestandardsandtodomoretomakeclearthescaleofcontributionstogoodcauses…itisvitalthatELMsandsocietylotteryoperatorsensuresufficientinformationtomakeitcleartoconsumerswhichsocietylotterytheyarebeinginvitedtoparticipatein.”
Localauthoritiesholdinglotterylicencesthemselvesshouldnotethattheproposedcodeswillalsoapplytothelotteriestheyoperate.Theclosingdateforresponsesis30September.
Online tool for consumer complaintsFrom1August,gamblingconsumerswillbeabletouseResolver,theonlinesupporttool,tomakecomplaintsrelatedtogambling.
Resolverisafree,independenttoolforconsumers.Itprovidesinformationabouttheissuetheconsumerwantstocomplainabout,andsupporttohelptheconsumerwriteemailsandlettersofcomplaint.
Resolverisnotanintermediary,anddoesn’tactontheconsumer’sbehalf–butitdoeshelptheconsumertomaketheircomplaintinastructuredway,andtomakeinformedchoicesaboutwhatactionstotake.Thiscanhelpbusinessestodealwithcomplaintsmoreefficientlywhentheyreceivethem,andmanagescustomerexpectationsabouttheircomplaintissue.
Resolveralsohelpstheconsumertostoreallthecomplaintinformationinoneplace,andactsasanemailservice.Thismeanstheconsumer’scomplaintwillbesentfromaResolveremailaddress,ratherthanthecustomer’susualemailaddress.WeexpectoperatorstoacceptcomplaintscustomerssendviaaResolveremailaddressjustastheywouldfromotheremailservices.
WeworkedwiththeteamatResolvertohelpdeveloptheinformationthatResolverusesaboutgambling,thoughResolverremainsentirelyindependentofus.
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licensing authority bulletin
Six-monthly London boroughs’ meeting
WeareholdingoursecondmeetingoftheyearforlicensingofficersfromLondonBoroughsonThursday5October2017inCamdenTownHall.Updateswillincludestatementsofpolicyandpublichealth.Londonlicensingauthoritiesshouldcontactinfo@gamblingcommission.gov.ukifyouhaven’talreadyreceivedyourinvitation.
Commission’s new enforcement strategy
Followingarecentconsultation,wehavepublishedanupdatedenforcementstrategywhichwillbeusedtotackleoperatorswhobreachgamblingregulationsKeychangesinclude:• changestoourstatementonfinancialpenalties
includingintroducinghigherpenaltiesforbreaches,particularlywhereitseessystemicandrepeatedfailings
• puttingallregulatorytools,includinglicencereview(bothoftheoperatorandpersonalmanagementlicences),onanequalfootingbyremovingthecurrentbiasinfavourofsettlement
• usingtime-limiteddiscountstocreatebetterincentivesforearlysettlement.
Illegal machines operation – London Borough of Hackney
WerecentlyassistedthepoliceintheLondonBoroughofHackneyinanoperationatanunlicensedpremisesintheboroughwhereadrugswarrantwasexecutedunders23MisuseofDrugsAct1971.Thepremisesweresecuredwithstaffandcustomersdetained,thepremisescomprisedoftwofloors,agroundfloorandabasementfloor.
TherewereavarietyofillegalmachinesgamingmachinesonthegroundfloorincludingaBlackHorsemachineandvariousJokerPokermachinesaswellasabettingterminal.
ItwasnotedthattheBlackHorsemachinedisplayeda“ForAmusementOnly”signbuthadbeenadaptedtobeabletoprintaticket.Alsositedthroughoutthepremiseswereseveralgamingtables.
Thepoliceseizedsevengamingmachinesincludingthebettingterminal.Anillegalworkerwasarrestedforunlawfullystayinginthecountry.Theownerofthepremiseswillbesubjecttopoliceprosecutionunders37oftheGamblingAct(useofpremises)ands242(makingmachinesavailableforuse).
Illegal gambling den – Met policeAnillegalgamblingdenwasfoundinasnookerclubintheLondonBoroughofCamdenwhereMetpoliceexecutedadrugswarrant.Intheclub’sbackroomthreecardtablesweresetupforblackjack,aswellasaroulettewheelandroulettetable.
Twoarrestsweremadeandthepremises’alcohollicencewasrevokedfollowingpreviousoffencesin2012.
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Case studies
licensing authority bulletin
Betwatch acts against drug dealers: West Midlands
InlateMay2017wewereapproachedbyBirminghamCityCounciltoassistwithissuesrelatingtoacitycentrebettingshopfollowingconcernsraisedbyWestMidlandsPolicearoundsuspecteddrugdealingandassociatedantisocialbehaviourinthearea.ThankstothepartnershipworkingapproachinplacefortacklingsuchissuesthroughtheBetwatchschemeinthisarea,discussionswereheldbetweenthebettingshopoperator,WestMidlandsPoliceandtheCommissionculminatinginameetinginourofficesinearlyJune2017.
FollowingthatmeetingBetwatchbanningnoticeswereissuedtofiveindividualssuspectedofbeinginvolvedwiththesaleofillegalsubstances.ThisprohibitsthemfromenteringanyofthetwentyfourbettingshopsintheBirminghamCentralBetwatchschemeandcirculatesdetailsofthebanalongwithimagestoallowidentification.Inadditiontothis,alladvertisingmaterialswereremovedfromtheshopwindowstoallowaclearviewintotheshop,stafftrainingwasrefreshedandrelationshipsdevelopedbetweenbettingshopstaffandneighbourhoodpoliceofficers.FeedbackfromWestMidlandsPoliceindicatesthatthesemeasureshaveachievedthedesiredresultandthattheyarepleasedwiththetimeframeoftheactionstakenbythebettingshopoperator.
WestMidlandsPolice,DesigningOutCrimeOfficer,SharonHornersaid“BetWatchillustratesthecalmativeeffectofpeopleworkingtogethertoreachamutuallydesiredoutcomeofreducingcrimeandanti-socialbehaviourinthecommunityandenhancingthebettingexperience”.
ThisisanotherexampleofhowBetwatchschemesachievetherightresultwithregardstothepreventionofcrimelicensingobjectiveinaswiftmannerwithminimalimpactonpolice,localauthorityandCommissionresources.
FurtherinformationonBetwatchcanbefoundonourwebsitewithenquiriestoyourcompliancemanager.
Test purchasing: East Northamptonshire
DuringtheIOL’sLicensingWeekofAction,EastNorthamptonshireofficerscarriedoutanunderagegamblingtestpurchasingexerciseonsixlocalgamblingpremisesusingtwoteenagemysteryshopperswhowerechallengedonentry.
StaffatallbettingandarcadepremisesaskedatentrytoseeIDfromtheyoungstersandthenpolitelyexplainedwhytheycouldnotallowthemin.
Illegal betting in pub - Bradford
AbookmakerapproachedthecounciltoaskifhecouldhaveanOccasionalUseNoticetoofferbettingfacilitiesinanalcohollicensedpremises,attachinganadvertfromarivalpubwhoappearedtobeofferingthesamefacilitiesonRoyalAscotLadiesDay.Theadvertstated,amongstotherthings,‘LiveRacingandLicensedBookmaker’.
Whenquestioned,theDesignatedPremisesSupervisor(DPS)deniedofferinggamblingfacilitiesandputtheofferingofalicensedbookmakerdowntoa‘typo’althoughheadvisedthathewasintendingtooffera‘runner’tocollatecustomerbetsandtakethemtoanearbybookmakers.
TheDPSwasadvisedthatthatitwasnotpermissibletooffertheservicesofabookmaker(whetherlicensedornot)onthepremisesandthathecouldnotoffertheservicesofarunner.
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licensing authority bulletin
Hewasadvisedthatthecustomersofthepubwisingtoplaceabetmustbedirectedtodosobyeitherattendingthelocalbookmakerthemselvesorbyusingtheirownbettingaccountaccessedeitheronlineoroverthephone.
TheenquirythendevelopedfurtherbyaskingifiPadsorsimilardevicescouldberentedandmadeavailableforcustomerstocreateoraccesstheirownaccounts.ThisisalsounacceptableastheDPSwouldbeofferinggamblingfacilitiesasinthiscasetheprovisionofdevicesonthedaywouldbespecificallyaimedatthosecustomerswishingtobetdespitethefactthatthedevicescouldaccessanynumberofnon-bettingrelatedwebsites.
Ourquickguide:facilitatingbettinginpubsisillegalprovidesmoreinformationaboutillegalbettinginpubs,withfurtherdetailsonourwebsiteaboutwhenOUNscanbeused.
LAsareencouragedtosendcasestudiesforinclusioninfuturebulletins.Pleasesupplydetailstoinfo@gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Police powers quick guideWehavepublishedaquickguidesettingoutpo-licestatutorypowersundertheGamblingAct.LAsareencouragedtosharethiswiththeirlocalpolicelicensingcolleagues.
Third party poker in clubs - template letterInMayweadvisedofincidenceswhereclubswithclubgamingpermitswereusingthirdpartyorganis-erstorunthepokerwhowerenotadheringtotheprovisionsofthecodeofpracticeforequalchancegaminginclubsandpremiseswithanalcohollicence.
WehaveproducedatemplatelettertoassistLAsinseekingreassurancethattheclubs(andthirdpar-ties)areawareof,andabidingby,therequirementsincludingsupervisionofchildrenandyoungpeople,recordkeeping,membershipanddisplayofrulesandstakesandprizes.
Direct access reminder
Whilstonjointvisits,compliancemanagershaverecentlyencounteredanumberofissuesinrelationtodirectaccessbetweengamblingpremises,particularlybetweenadultgamingcentres(AGCs)andfamilyentertainmentcentres(FECs).Thereisnodefinitionof“directaccess”intheActorregulations,althoughLAsmayconsiderthatthereshouldbeanareaseparatingthepremisesconcerned,suchasastreetorcaféwhichthepublicgotoforpurposesotherthangambling,fortheretobenodirectaccess.
Licensingauthoritiesareremindedthatthemandatoryanddefaultconditionssetoutaccessrequirementswhichcanbesummarisedas:
Type of premises Access provisionsCasinos •theprincipalentrancetothe
premisesmustbefroma‘street’•noentrancetoacasinomustbefrompremisesthatareusedwhollyormainlybychildrenand/oryoungpersons•nocustomermustbeabletoenteracasinodirectlyfromanyotherpremiseswhichholdsagamblingpremiseslicence.
AGCs •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromanyotherlicensedgamblingpremises.
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Advice and guidance
licensing authority bulletin
Bettingshops •accessmustbefroma‘street’orfromotherpremiseswithabettingpremiseslicence•nodirectaccessfromabettingshoptoanotherpremisesusedfortheretailsaleofmerchandiseorservices.Ineffecttherecannotbeanentrancetoabettingshopfromashopofanykindunlessthatshopisitselfalicensedbettingpremises.
Tracks •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromacasinoorAGC
Bingopremises •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromacasino,anAGCorabettingpremises,otherthanatrack
FECs •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromacasino,anAGCorabettingpremises
Section7oftheGuidancetoLicensingAuthoritiescontainsdetailedinformationaboutthepremiseslicenceregulations.IfLAshaveconcernsaboutanynewapplicationsofthissort,oraboutarrangementsthatarealreadyinplace,pleasecontactyourcompliancemanager.
Reminder re permit renewal process
LastyearwereminderLAsthatthe10yearrenewalprocessforclubgamingpermits,clubmachinepermitsandunlicensedfamilyentertainmentcentres(uFEC)startsthisyear.WepreviouslypublishedaspecialbulletinandsupportingmaterialsontheclubpermitrenewalprocessandsimilarlyfortheuFECrenewalprocessincludingasuggestedapplicationformandtemplatereminderletters.
InconnectionwiththecurrentunlicensedFECpermitrenewalprogramme,NorthDevonCouncilinassociationwiththeircompliancemanagerrecentlyconductedaseriesofpremisesvisitstoholidayparksandarcadesintheWoolacombeandIlfracombeareas.
ItwasverypleasingtonotethatingeneralahighlevelofcompliancewasbeingobservedparticularlysoinrespectoftheunlicensedFECs.Thepremisesvisitsprovidedtheopportunitytodiscussrecentchanges/updateswiththeoperatorsfacetofaceasensuredthatpermitswereissuedforappropriatepremises(thosewhollyormainlyusedformakinggamingmachinesavailableforuse).
Ifyouareunsureaboutapermitrenewalapplication,pleasecontactyourcompliancemanagerinthefirstinstance.
Preventing gambling harm in London communities: outreach support and training BetknowmoreUK,anot-for-profitsocialenterprise,hasbeenservingthecommunitiesofIslingtonandsurroundingboroughssince2014.EstablishedbyFrankieGraham,himselfaformergamblingaddict,itprovidesfast,tailoredsupporttogamblersandthoseaffectedbytheirpartner’sorothers’gambling.TheestablishmentofacommunityfocusedgamblingsupporthubprovidesafocalpointforIslingtonorganisationsandresidentstoaccessservices,includinganoutreachprogramme,counselling,drop-inandfamilysupportservice.Gamblingharmisoftenlinkedwithothersocialandco-morbidityissuesandBetknowmoreUKsupportincludesaddressingthoseneeds,aswellastheclient’sholistichealthandwellbeing.
BetknowmoreUKhasconnectedwithover60organisationsinIslingtonaloneandprovidedharmminimisationsupport,rangingfromworkshops/presentationstotheirfront-lineteams,totheprovisionofscreeningtoolsandresources.
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Information sharing
licensing authority bulletin
Partnershipworkinghasbeenextremelyvaluableforsupportingclientswithcomplexneeds,forexample,workinginpartnershipwithvoluntaryandstatutorymentalhealthservicesintheborough.ThisincludesaBetknowmoreUKdualdiagnosisproject,whichidentifiesandprovidesspecialisttherapeutictreatmentandsafeguardingsupporttohighlyvulnerableindividuals.
RunningsincelastOctober2016,apilotproject,Don’tGamblewithHealth,waslaunchedincollaborationwiththeAssociationofBritishBookmakers.TheaimoftheprojectistoreducegamblingrelatedharmamongstthecustomerbasefrequentingABBmember’slicensedbettingoffices(LBO)inIslington.BetknowmoreUKprovidesservicesconsistingof(1)accreditedACToutreachsupportprogramme(2)workshopsandothersupportingresources/materialstogamblingoperator’sstaff(3)on-goingcommunitysupporttootherstakeholders.Customersexperiencingperceivedharmcanself-referorbereferredtotheservicebyastaffmember.Clientsreportthatrapidsupportisakeyfeatureoftheservice,asisthetreatmentfocusontheirholistichealthandwellbeing.
Betknowmore’steamincludesBACP(BritishAssociationforCounsellingandPsychotherapy)counsellors,mentalhealthexpertsandoutreachworkers,togetherwithavolunteerbasethathelpsdeliverservicescost-effectively.Theteamalsodeliversengaginggamblingawarenessworkshopstoawiderangeoforganisations,trainingfrontlinestaffinthepsychologyofthegamblerandhowtoidentifyandhelpsomeonewhomaybeatrisk.Thisincludesscreeningandidentificationadviceandresources.
Theorganisationplanstofurtherdevelopthisinnovativewayofaddressinggamblingrelatedharmandcontinueworkingwithexistingandnewstakeholderstobuildcapacityandgrowthintothegamblingsupportsector.
Pleasecontactfrankie@betknowmoreuk.orgforfurtherinformationorvisittheirwebsitewww.betknowmoreuk.org
Commission’s annual reportWehavepublishedourannualreportandaccountsfor2016/17whichsummarisesperformanceandprogressbytheorganisationoverthelastfinancialyear.Highlightsinclude:• launchofastrategytoimproveconsumer
engagement• settingthesocialresponsibilityagendawiththe
boardsofoperatorsthroughtheintroductionofassurancestatements
• joiningforceswithregulatorypartnerssuchastheCompetitionsandMarketsAuthorityandAdvertisingStandardsAuthority,totakeactionagainstunfairandmisleadingpracticesbyonlineoperators
• revisingtheCommission’sapproachtoenforcement,enablinguseofthefullrangeofpowerstodriveupstandardsacrosstheindustry
• aclearfocusonCamelot’sperformanceinprotectingtheintegrityoftheNationalLotteryandensuringcontributionstogoodcausesintheUKaremaximised.
New money laundering requirements in place The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017cameintoeffecton26June2017,followingaperiodoftranspositionoftheEU4thMoneyLaunderingDirectiveandreplacethepreviousMoneyLaunderingRegulations2007.Allcasinooperatorsbothnon-remoteandremote(online)mustcomplywiththenewrequirementsandwillneedtoensuretheyhaveeffectivemeasuresinplace.
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licensing authority bulletin
Gambling training modules for LAsWehaveanumberofrefreshermodulesforlicensingofficerswhichcompliancemanagerscandeliverattheseatregional/IOLlicensingmeetings.Modulesavailableare:• Illegalbettinginpubs•Pokerinpubs•Smallsocietylotteries•Clubgamingandclubmachinepermits• TestpurchasinginEnglandandWales•Gamingmachines•Bettingattracks•Moneylaundering(forpolice/LAs)•Policepowersonconductinggamblingpremisesinspections(ingamblingpremisesandalcohollicensedpremisesinEnglandandWales)
•Permitrenewals.Ifyouareinterestedinreceivingsuchtraining,pleasecontactyourcompliancemanager.
TheCommissionandInstituteofLicensing(IOL)havealsoproducedtwoe-learningmodulesongamingmachines.ThemodulesaredesignedtohelpLAsandotherco-regulatorstoimprovetheirunderstandingofgamingmachinesandthelocalregulationofgamingmachines.Workisunderwayonthethirdmodulewhichaddresstheillegalsitingofmachinesandappropriateregulatoryaction,whichwillbelaunchedlaterthisyear.
ThefirstmodulecoverstheroleofLAsintheregulationofgambling,whatisagamingmachineandthevarioustypesofgamingmachines.
Thesecondmodulecoversthephysicalcomponentsofagamingmachine,howtheyworkandthesignagerequirements.
Thesemodulescanbeaccessedbyanybody.YoucanaccessthesemodulesviatheIOLwebsite,andtheyareCPDaccredited(basedona30minuteaverage).Onceonthewebsitesimplyclickonthee-learningtabonthetopright,thenloginifyouhaveanexistingaccount,orrequestalogintogetstarted.
Pleasenote,thatthegamingmachinessectorisadiverseandcomplexoneandthistrainingisonlydesignedtogiveabasicintroduction,forhelpwithcomplexissuesseekspecialistadvice.
Primary Authority (PA) FAQsAsetoffrequentlyaskedquestionsareavailableonthePAregister(loginthensearchofforaPAgamblingpartnership–listedbelow–andthengototheadvice/informationsection).TheyexplainthebackgroundtoPAgamblingagreementsandthedifferencebetweenPAadviceandnationalinspectionstrategies.TheFAQssetouthowoperatorsusethirdpartyageverificationtesting,howthetestsareconductedandwhathavingaPArelationshipmeans.OnequestionofparticularinteresttoLAsis:
Q. What do local authorities need to do if they want to test purchase from betting shops covered by a NIS?
EachoperatorwithaNIShascommittedtoaseriesofrandomtestsbylocalauthoritiesco-ordinatedviathePrimaryAuthorityandwithouttheknowledgeoftheoperator,withnoupperlimit.LocalauthoritiesmustcontactthePrimaryAuthorityinordertoparticipateintheNIS.ThelocalauthoritymustalsocommitinwritingtofollowingtheprotocolandprovidingfeedbacktothePrimaryAuthoritywithinthespecifiedtimeframestoparticipate.ThePAwillthendiscussalltheresultswiththeoperatorandagreeonstepstoaddressanyweaknesses.
Theresultsultimatelyassistinimprovingtheprotectionforyoungpeoplefromgamblingharmwhichiswhytheconsistentapproachisimportantandsoconclusionscanbereliablydrawn.Theyarealsointendedtolendarealitychecktotheoperator’sServeLegaltestingtoensuretheyareprovidingarealisticpictureofoperatorperformance.Thelocalauthoritytestsuseanactualunder18,ratherthanthe18/19yearoldsusedbyServeLegal,butagainwill‘mysteryshop’againsttheThink21policies.
TheresultsarealsosharedwiththeGamblingCommissionandareport,includingallthetestpurchaseswillbeprovidedtotheparticipatinglocalauthoritiesattheendoftheNIS.Currently,theoperatorsinvolvedinaNISareCoral,LadbrokesandPaddyPower.SeethePAregisterforfurtherdetailsoftheNIS,andalsootherPrimaryAuthorityAdviceonlypartnerships.
PleasecontactthePAdirectlyifyouwishtoparticipateintheNIStesting.
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licensing authority bulletin
List of Primary Authority gambling agreements GamblingPrimaryAuthorities(PA)agreementssignedtodate.LAsareremindedthatthereisno restrictiononanyLAswishingtoundertakeproactivetestpurchasingactivitywherethePAhasnotdevelopedaNationalInspectionStrategy.
MiltonKeynes-Ladbrokes(withNationalInspectionStrategy)LondonBoroughofNewham-Corals(withNationalInspectionStrategy)Reading-PaddyPower(withNationalInspectionStrategy)Reading-BACTAReading-ABBReading-WelcomeBreakReading-MOTOWestminster-WilliamHill
LAsshouldcheckthePrimaryAuthorityregistertoseewhichtradeassociationmembershavesigneduptotheBACTAandABBagreements(youneedtosearchforReadingorforthenameoftheoperatoritself).Print friendly quick guides and templates LAsareremindedthatwehaveanumberofquickguides.Somearedesignedtogivetooperatorswhenundertakingvisits,othersprovideanaccessiblehowtoforlicensingstaff.Forprintfriendlyversions:justclickontheprintfriendlyinstructiononthefrontofeachquickguideandmakesureyourprinterissettoprintonbothsidesofthepaper:•Moneylaundering•Gamingmachinesinpubs•Racenight,casinonightorpokernight•Members’cluborcommercialclub•Pokerinclubs•Pokerinpubs• Facilitatingbettinginpubsandclubsisillegal•Skillswithprizes• Illegalgamingmachines•ComparinglotteryticketdispensersandB3Amachines
• Illegalsitingofgamingmachines
• Fairsandfairgrounds•Runningalottery•Runningprizecompetitionsandfreedraws•Multi-activitysites•PolicestatutorypowersundertheGamblingAct
Examplesofnon-complexcategoryDgamingmachinesandinformationabouthowtheyshouldbecorrectlylabelledascategoryDnon-complexcranegrabmachinesisalsoavailableinthissectionofthewebsite.
Examplelettertemplatesarealsoavailable,whichLAsmaywishtousewhendealingwithissuessuchasillegalmachinesinpubs,andillegalpokerorbettinginpubsandthirdpartiesrunningpokerinclubs.
WealsohavecompiledalistofsampleconditionsthatLAhaveattachedtopremiseslicences.Theseareprovidedforillustrativepurposesonly.Theyprovideexamplesofsortsofconditionsalicensingauthoritymaywishtothinkaboutwhenaddressingsimilarevidencedbasedconcernswithinalocalarea.
Licensing authority inspection outcome letters and inspection guidance In2013,weworkedtogetherwiththeLeicester,LeicestershireandRutlandLicensingForumandtheLeicesterandLeicestershireEnterprisePartnership(LLEP)tocreatetemplatesforassessmentsatgamblingpremises.ThetemplatesincludedreferencetothesocialresponsibilitycodeprovisionsissuedbytheCommissionunders153oftheAct.WealsojointlycreatedasuiteofletterstoassistLAsincommunicatingtheassessmentoutcometooperators.
ThesedocumentswerelastupdatedinOctober2016andnowincludeasimpleriskratingsystemforLAstouseaspartoftheirinspectionplanningifrequired.Atthesametime,2newassessmenttemplateswereadded–amachinemonitoringchecklistandacrimeandantimoneylaunderingchecklist.YoucanfindtheassessmenttemplatestheLLEPwebsite.
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licensing authority bulletin
Gambling Act statutory notices and forms LAsareadvisedthatDCMShasaskedtheCommissiontohostallthestatutorynoticesandapplicationformsontheCommission’swebsiteastheyarenolongeravailableontheDCMSwebsite.
UsingtherightformsItisastatutoryrequirementthatapplicantsusethecorrectformstogivepropernoticeofapplications,variationsetctoallresponsibleauthorities,includingtheCommission(part3,s12and13oftheGamblingAct2005(PremisesLicencesandProvisionalStatements)Regulations2007).
LAsalsohavestatutorydutiestonotifytheCommissionaswellastheapplicantandotherresponsibleauthoritiesofthegrant/rejectionofapplications(new,variations,transfersetc)aswellastherevocation,surrenderorlapseofapremiseslicenceusingthecorrectstatutoryforms.Havingallthestatutoryforms(bothinEnglishandinWelsh)inoneplaceshouldhelpyoutocomplywiththosestatutoryprocesses.
AdditionallyweareawarethatthegamblingpagesonmanyLAwebsitessignpostapplicantstotheDCMSwebsiteformoreinformation.Asyouwillknowtheseparategovernmentdepartmentsnowallusethewww.gov.ukwebsiteandmuchofthehistoricgamblingmaterialisnolongeravailable.LAsmaywishtoreviewandupdatetheirwebsites,signpostingtotheCommission’swebsitewhereappropriate.
Premises licence register LAsareremindedthattheinformationonthepubliclyavailablepremisesregisterisbasedonthestatutorynotificationsreceivedfromLAsregardinggrants,variations,revocations,lapsesetc,andisupdatedmonthly.LAsareencouragedtouseemailtosubmitdetailsofgrants,transfers,notices,revocations,permitssendingallnecessarycorrespondencetoinfo@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
Inrelationtogamingmachines,pleaseonlysharenoticesofgrant/rejectionofClubMachinesPermitsandGamingMachinePermits,asthereisnorequirementtoadviseuswhenanalcohollicenceholdersubmitstheirnotificationforanautomaticentitlementtotwogamingmachines.HoweverLAsmustkeeparecordofhowmanyautomaticentitlementnotificationsitreceiveseachyear,asthatinformationisrequestedintheannualLAreturns.
Change of licensing personnel?Wetrytoensureourcontactrecordsareup-to-date,butpleasehelpusoutbylettingusknowwhenthereareanychangesofgamblingcontactsinyourLAsothatourcommunicationsreachthecorrectperson.Inrelationtogamingmachines,pleaseonlysharenoticesofgrant/rejectionofClubMachinesPermitsandGamingMachinePermits,asthereisnorequirementtoadviseuswhenanalcohollicenceholdersubmitstheirnotificationforanautomaticentitlementtotwogamingmachines.HoweverLAsmustkeeparecordofhowmanyautomaticentitlementnotificationsitreceiveseachyear,asthatinformationisrequestedintheannualLAreturns.
Find operating licence holdersOurpublicregistercontainsthenamesofallcompaniesandindividualswhohold,orhaveappliedfor,operatinglicencesinGreatBritainalongwiththenamesofcompaniesorindividualswhoselicenceshavelapsed,beenrevoked,forfeited,expired,suspendedorsurrenderedinthelastsixmonths.LAsareremindedtochecktheoperatorlicencequotedonpremisesapplicationswiththeregisterbeforegrantingapremiseslicence.Anapplicationforpremiseslicencemayonlybemadebypersonswhohaveanoperatinglicencewhichallowsthemtocarryouttheproposedactivityforexampleabingooperatinglicenceforabingopremises,orhaveappliedforanoperatinglicence(althoughthepremiseslicencecannotbedetermineduntilanoperatinglicencehasbeenissued).
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licensing authority bulletin
Join our LinkedIn group OurlicensingofficersandLAsgroupisaimedathelpinglicensingofficersunderstandthekeyroleLAsplayingamblingregulationinGreatBritain.
YoucansharegoodpracticeandfindouthowLAshaveanumberofregulatoryfunctionsincludingissuingpremiseslicences,regulatinggamingandgamingmachinesinclubsandpubs,inspectionandenforcementoflicencesandlotsmore.
YoucanalsofollowtheLinkedInGamblingCommissioncompanypage.
Keeping gambling fair and safe for allwww.gamblingcommission.gov.uk