Gambling and lottery licences
All gambling activities (with the exception of the National Lottery and spread betting) in the UK are now regulated under the Gambling Act 2005, including:
- betting
- bingo
- casino gaming
- prize gaming (including poker)
- use of gaming machines
- lotteries and raffles.
Licensing Authorities (who are local Councils) are responsible for determining applications for premises licences for betting offices, race tracks, casinos, bingo clubs and amusement arcades.
Permits for prize gaming and gaming machines in members clubs and licensed premises, as well as registrations of societies promoting small lotteries, will also be issued by the Council.
The Gambling Commission will be responsible for the issue of personal and operating licences, codes of practice and guidance.
The Gambling Act 2005 has three licensing objectives:
- preventing gambling from becoming a source of crime and 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.
As a Licensing Authority, Lambeth Council is required to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as it thinks that the use 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 Principles.
The Licensing Authority will not become involved in any moral issues relating to Gambling.
This page gives advice for local residents and businesses on the range of powers available to them under the Gambling Act 2005, including the ability to comment on applications and request reviews of licences.
The operators of gambling premises, such as betting shops, bingo halls and amusement arcades, must hold Premises Licences to authorise the gambling activities being carried on there.
One of the most prevalent types of gambling is the use of gaming machines in non-gambling premises - for example in pubs, bars and clubs. As these will only be an ancillary attraction in these premises, the proprietors will usually need to obtain one of several types of permit to authorise their activities.
Lotteries, raffles, tombolas and other prize draws which rely on an element of chance to select a winner, are controlled under the Gambling Act 2005, and must comply with the requirements of one or more lottery categories. In some circumstances, the promoter of the lottery will need to register with their local council or be licensed by the Gambling Commission.
Certain gambling activities can be approved on a short-term, infrequent basis, through a temporary use notice or an occasional use notice.
Licensing authorities are required to publish a legal document setting out the principles that they will follow when exercising any of their powers under the Gambling Act 2005.
As a form of prize gaming, any poker games must comply with a number of limits, to ensure that they are being provided legally. Organisers of games that breach these limits may find themselves subject to enforcement action, including prosecution.