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Gambling Act 2005

 

Council Responsibilities 

On the 1st September 2007, Castle Point Borough Council became the licensing authority responsible for issuing premises licences for Gambling activities throughout the Borough, working in partnership with the new National Gambling Regulator, the Gambling Commission.

In preparation for its new licensing responsibilities, Castle Point Borough Council prepared a Gambling Policy Statement. The Gambling Policy document is a statement of the principles that Castle Point proposes to apply when deciding to approve or reject any licence application made under the Act.

 Approval of Licensing Policy Statement

At a meeting of Full Council the policy document received approval.

Public consultation

Before presenting the final policy document to Councillors, consultation on the draft policy document takes place to hear how local residents and local businesses felt about the future of licensing gambling outlets within the Borough. The views and opinions gathered during the consultation period have been considered by Councillors and incorporated within the policy, if felt relevant.

Publishing the Statement of Licensing Policy

Before publishing the final statement of licensing policy under the Gambling Act 2005, authorities are required to publish a “Notice of Intention”. This notice should specify the date the statement is due to be published; the date the statement will take effect; the internet address where it will be published and the address of the premises where it can be inspected. PDF Document Notice of Intention  (26.0KB)

PDF Document Gambling Policy January 2013  Other additional information

PDF Document List of Gambling fees  (59.5KB)

Making representations

In order to ensure that applicants and persons who wish to make representations have the necessary information to be able to do so, the information provided will assist. It should be noted that, unlike the Licensing Act, the Gambling Act does not include a specific licensing objective in relation to public nuisance. Any objections to new premises or requests for a review of a licence should be based on the following licensing objectives:

  • 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.

Register

The authority is required to maintain a register of applications made under the Gambling Act 2005. This may be inspected at Castle Point Borough Council, Council Offices, Kiln Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 1TF on Monday to Friday between the hours of 9.00hrs and 16.30hrs, except on Bank Holidays. There is also a Public Register on line licensing.castlepoint.gov.uk Licensing Public Register

Fees

The levels of fees must be made available to the public including fees to be charged, levels of fees and other permissions. Government have now released the fee maximus in relations to premises to be licensed. 

Making application

Prescribed application forms are available from the Licensing Unit, Castle Point Borough Council and Government offices such as the Gambling Commission.  Should you  choose to make an application please contact the Licensing  office on 01268 882416 or email your request to the licensingunit@castlepoint.gov.uk or by completing a licensing enquiry form on our home page.

Delegated authority

PDF Document Delegation of functions  (34.5KB)