Gambling Act 2005
Encyclopedia
The Gambling Act 2005 is an Act
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
. It mainly applies to England and Wales
, and to Scotland
, and is designed to control all forms of gambling
. It transfers authority for licensing gambling from the Magistrates' Court
s to local authorities (specifically unitary authorities, and the councils of metropolitan borough, non-metropolitan district and London boroughs), or to Scottish licensing boards. The Act also created the Gambling Commission
.
The Act gives its objectives as
"(a) preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime,
(b) ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and
(c) protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling."
Some provisions of the bill faced controversy, particularly in its original form, where it would have allowed large numbers of so-called "super casinos" to have been set up. With the Parliamentary session drawing to a close, a compromise was agreed to reduce this to one. Despite a lengthy bidding process, with Manchester
being chosen as the single planned location, the development was cancelled soon after Gordon Brown
became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
. The Act also specifically regulates internet gambling
for the first time.
The bill is wide-ranging including regulation of (illegal) lotteries. The "no purchase necessary" clause on on-product promotions and semi-legal competitions will go, replaced with the so-called "New Zealand Model" where purchase may be a requirement, if the purchase is at the "normal selling price".
The Act, together with regulations and specifications developed by The Gambling Commission define, and in some cases redefine, categories of gaming machines and where they are allowed to be placed.
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
. It mainly applies to England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
, and to Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and is designed to control all forms of gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
. It transfers authority for licensing gambling from the Magistrates' Court
Magistrates' Court
A magistrates' court or court of petty sessions, formerly known as a police court, is the lowest level of court in England and Wales and many other common law jurisdictions...
s to local authorities (specifically unitary authorities, and the councils of metropolitan borough, non-metropolitan district and London boroughs), or to Scottish licensing boards. The Act also created the Gambling Commission
Gambling Commission
The Gambling Commission is Great Britain's regulatory body for most, but not all, gambling.-History:It was established under the Gambling Act 2005 and assumed full powers in 2007, taking over responsibility from the Gaming Board for Great Britain, in regulating arcades, betting, bingo, casinos,...
.
The Act gives its objectives as
"(a) preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime,
(b) ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and
(c) protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling."
Some provisions of the bill faced controversy, particularly in its original form, where it would have allowed large numbers of so-called "super casinos" to have been set up. With the Parliamentary session drawing to a close, a compromise was agreed to reduce this to one. Despite a lengthy bidding process, with Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
being chosen as the single planned location, the development was cancelled soon after Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
. The Act also specifically regulates internet gambling
Online gambling
Online gambling, also known as Internet gambling and iGambling, is a general term for gambling using the Internet.-Online poker:Online poker tables commonly offer Texas hold 'em, Omaha, Seven-card stud, razz, HORSE and other game types in both tournament and ring game structures...
for the first time.
The bill is wide-ranging including regulation of (illegal) lotteries. The "no purchase necessary" clause on on-product promotions and semi-legal competitions will go, replaced with the so-called "New Zealand Model" where purchase may be a requirement, if the purchase is at the "normal selling price".
The Act, together with regulations and specifications developed by The Gambling Commission define, and in some cases redefine, categories of gaming machines and where they are allowed to be placed.
External links
- The Gambling Act 2005, as amended from the National Archives.
- The Gambling Act 2005, as originally enacted from the National Archives.
- Explanatory notes to the Gambling Act 2005.
- Department of Culture note on the Act