The Gambling Act 2005 - a brief guide

The Gambling Act 2005 regulates gambling and gaming providing powers and protections for both new and old forms of gambling. Fundamental to the act are three licensing objectives:

• keeping gambling crime free
• making sure that gambling is fair and open
• protecting children and vulnerable adults

These are underpinned by:

• social responsibility and protection of the public, especially children and the vulnerable.

This remains the top priority:

• creating a regime, which has at its heart is firm but fair regulation allowing people to enjoy gambling responsibly, encourage an important industry to thrive by behaving responsibly, and protecting the vulnerable. A robust regime that is good for players, providers and investors
• close, open and consultative working with all stakeholders - the industry; faith, belief and community groups; researchers; those dealing day to day with problem gamblers

The Act covers two main activities:

• providing facilities for gambling
• using premises for gambling

Anyone engaged in either of the above two activities must hold the appropriate permission. Permission may come from a licence, permit, or registration granted according to the Act, or from an exemption given by the Act.

The Act established the Gambling Commission as the unified regulator for gambling in Great Britain and a licensing regime for commercial gambling (operated and regulated by the Commission or by the licensing authorities, the councils, depending on what is being licensed).

For more information see:

• The Gambling Act 2005 -  on the UK Legislation website
• The Gambling Commission website

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