Gambling

Guidance for residents

Background

On 1 September 2007 Westminster City Council will take over responsiblility for issuing premises licences for premises that provide facilities for gambling or premises that are being used for gambling. These include betting shops, casinos, adult gaming centres and family entertainment centres (formerly amusement arcades) as a result of the Gambling Act 2005. This Act removes the responsibility for administering licences and permits from the Magistrates’ Court and gives it to local authorities.

What happens next

All premises that are currently licensed / or permitted to provide facilities for gambling or premises that are used for gambling would have already submitted applications for conversion to the Gambling Commision for operating and personal licences and will need to submit conversion applictions to Westminster City Council for premises licences after 21 May 2007.

Conversion applications submitted under the ‘fast track’ option allows existing operators to convert their licence.

How this could affect you

We know that many of you feel concerned about the effect gambling premises could have on your community. Westminster City Council is committed to addressing your concerns.

The Gambling Act 2005 allows representations to be made by a person who lives sufficiently close to the premises to be affected by the proposed activities, or someone who has a business interest that might be affected by the proposed activities or someone who represents people in either of the above groups.

As soon as the DCMS (Department of Culture, Media and Sport) release the final regulations on reviews further information will be included here.

Further information

For additional information please download Westminster's Licensing Policy or call the Licensing Service on 020 7641 2162 or submit your query using our online contact form. Information is also available from the DCMS website at http://www.culture.gov.uk/

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