Businesses that offer gambling in the district are being reminded they need to apply for a premises licence from Dover District Council by 30 July if they want to continue to run their business from 1 September 2007, when the new Gambling Act comes into force.
Under the Gambling Act 2005, nearly all businesses offering gambling must have a new premises licence including arcades, betting shops and bingo clubs. They will also need to have an operating licence from the Gambling Commission. Both these licences are applied for separately and businesses need not wait for one application to be decided before submitting the other.
The licensing system forms part of the new regulatory regime introduced by the Gambling Act. It brings into power the new regulator, the Gambling Commission, which will take action against operators who fail to comply with the Act's three key objectives: to ensure that gambling is fair; crime free; and that children and vulnerable people are protected. Local licensing authorities will also have the power to inspect and take action against premises in their area that fail to comply with the rules.
The Gambling Act also makes it illegal to have fruit machines on premises such as fish and chips shops, kebab shops and mini-cab offices where children have been able to play these machines without proper supervision. Gaming machines will be phased out from these premises over the next two years as their current permits expire.
DDC Licensing Manager Tony Bartlett said: "Local authorities have a much greater role under the new gambling rules, which affect everyone who runs a business offering gambling. If operators do not apply for a premises licence by 30 July, there will be no guarantee they will be licensed to run their business from 1 September 2007, and they may even have to close while they reapply as a new business."
