In this edition News - Gambling Commission€¦ · Following that meeting Betwatch banning notices...
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In this edition... News • Consultation on new lottery codes of practice • Online tool for consumer complaints • Six-monthly London boroughs’ meeting • Commission’s new enforcement strategy Case studies • New Illegal machines operation – London Borough of Hackney • New Illegal gambling den – Met police • New Betwatch acts against drug dealers – West Midlands • New Test purchasing – East Northamptonshire • New Illegal betting in pub - Bradford Advice and guidance updates • New Police powers quick guide • New Third party poker in clubs - template letter • New Direct access reminder • New Reminder re permit renewal process Information sharing • New Preventing gambling harm in London communities: outreach support and training • New Commission’s annual report • New New money laundering requirements in place • Updated Gambling training modules for LAs Reference materials • Primary Authority (PA) FAQs • List of Primary Authority gambling agreements • Updated Print friendly quick guides and template letters • Licensing authority inspection outcome letters and inspection guidance • Gambling Act statutory notices and forms • Premises licence register • Find operating licence holders • Change of licensing personnel? • Join our LinkedIn group licensing authority bulletin Summer 2017 Consultation on new lottery codes of practice We have published a consultation proposing to improve transparency for society lottery players. The proposed requirements look to ensure lottery operators provide consumers with more information about how lottery proceeds are used and what good cause the lottery is raising funds for by: • publishing annually the percentage of all lottery ticket sales (proceeds) that are returned directly to the purposes of the society or applied to the purposes for which the local authority has the power to incur expenditure • requiring all those promoting lotteries as part of a branded lottery scheme to make it clear to consumers the name of the society whose lottery they are participating in, before they purchase a ticket. The consultation also clarifies what we regard as instant win and low frequency lotteries, to reflect the changes made recently to the Remote Technical Standards, as well as reinforce the changes published as part of the review of our regulatory data collection requirements. News
Transcript of In this edition News - Gambling Commission€¦ · Following that meeting Betwatch banning notices...
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
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
