Gambling Act 2005
Castle Point Borough Council is the Licensing Authority for this area and works with the national gambling regulator, the Gambling Commission.
The Gambling Commission's role is to issue personal licences, operating licences, statutory guidance and codes of practice and investigate illegal gambling and also has prosecution powers.
We're responsible for determining applications for premises licences in respect of betting offices, race tracks, casinos, bingo clubs, adult gaming centres and family entertainment centres. We also issues permits for gaming machines in members’ clubs and licensed premises.
Additionally, we're responsible for administering Temporary Use Notices and Occasional Use Notices and registering Small Society Lotteries.
The regulatory regime has three 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
- protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling
The Licensing Authority can't get involved in the moral issues relating to gambling and must aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as they think it is:
- in accordance with any relevant codes of practice
- in accordance with any relevant Guidance issued by the Gambling Commission
- reasonably consistent with the Licensing Objectives
- in accordance with the Licensing Authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy
Before the Licensing Authority can consider an application for a Premises Licence, the applicant must have obtained an Operating or Personal Licence, or both, from the Gambling Commission.
If you have an enquiry related to the Gambling Act 2005, email licensing@castlepoint.gov.uk
Notice of Intention to Publish Gambling Statement of Principles
PUBLIC NOTICE 11/12/2024
In accordance with Regulation 7 of the Gambling Act 2005 and the (Licensing Authority Policy Statement) Regulations 2006 notice is hereby given that the Castle Point Borough Council intends to publish its revised Statement of Policy in respect of the Gambling Act 2005 on the 03 January 2025 and that the revised policy will come into effect as from 31 January 2025 and will remain in effect until the 31 January 2028, subject to any further or necessary revisions.
Any persons or interested parties can view the revised statement of gambling policy on this page from 03 January 2025.
Gambling in Public Premises
In order for gambling activity to take place in any public premises within our boundary, the following licences will be required and can be obtained from the Gambling Commission:
- operating licence
- personal licence (subject to circumstance)
- premises licence.
In addition, a premises licence must also be obtained. Under the Act, CPBC are responsible for dealing with the following applications:
- casinos
- betting offices
- race tracks
- bingo halls
- adult gaming centres
- licensed family entertainment centres.
We also issues permits for gaming and gaming machines in clubs, unlicensed family entertainment centres and gaming machines in pubs or other alcohol licensed premises.
Please contact the Licensing Team if you need any further information licensing@castlepoint.gov.uk
Making representations
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 three licensing objectives.
Licensing Objectives
The Gambling Act 2005 establishes three core licensing objectives that guide all gambling regulation in Great Britain:
Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling
This objective ensures that gambling operators implement measures to prevent underage gambling and to safeguard individuals who may be susceptible to gambling-related harm, including addiction or financial exploitation.
Ensuring that gambling is conducted fairly and openly
Operators must provide transparent rules, fair outcomes, and clear information to participants. This objective promotes trust in gambling activities and ensures that players are treated equitably.
Protecting the integrity of gambling
This involves maintaining the honesty and reliability of gambling operations, including betting and gaming activities, to prevent fraud, cheating, or manipulation of outcomes.
Register
The authority is required to maintain a register of applications made under the Gambling Act 2005.