Post on 23-Jun-2020
transcript
In this edition...
News• Gamblingfirm888topayover£7.8millionforfailingvulnerablecustomers
• Moreprogressneededtotackleproblemgambling
• BriefingtoScottishParliament• ReceptionintheWelshAssembly• ResponsibleGamblingWeek• GambleAwarehostsScottishParliamentevent• Commissionraisesawarenessofpotentialrisksforstudentswhogamble
Case studies • NewLancashirePoliceandCommissionoperationjailsgamingmachinecointhief
Advice and guidance updates• NewThirdmachinee-learningmodulelaunched• NewBongoBingo• NewLotteryticketvendingmachines• NewHouseraffles• NewReminderaboutdirectaccess
Information sharing • Six-monthlyLondonboroughsmeeting• NewGamblingrelatedlegislation• NewGambleawareremotegamblingresearch• NewScottishguidanceonpublicentertainmentlicencesforfunfairs
• NewPublicationofScottishalcohollicencenumbers
Reference materials• PrimaryAuthority(PA)FAQs• ListofPrimaryAuthoritygamblingagreements• Printfriendlyquickguidesandtemplateletters• Licensingauthorityinspectionoutcomelettersandinspectionguidance
• GamblingActstatutorynoticesandforms• Premiseslicenceregister• Findoperatinglicenceholders• Changeoflicensingpersonnel?• JoinourLinkedIngroup
licensing authority bulletinSeptember 2017
Gambling firm 888 to pay over £7.8million for failing vulnerable customers
888,oneofBritain’sbiggestonlinegamblingfirms,istopayarecordpenaltypackageofover£7.8millionasaresultofseriousfailingsinitshandlingofvulnerablecustomers.
Theactionfollowsthediscoveryofsignificantflawsin888UKLimited’s(888)socialresponsibilityprocesses,whichaimtoprotectconsumersfromgambling-relatedharm.Ourinvestigationfound:• Duetoatechnicalfailurein888’ssystems,over7,000customerswhohadchosentoself-excludefromtheircasino/poker/sportplatformwerestillabletoaccesstheiraccountsontheirbingoplatform.Theissuewentundetectedforaprolongedperiodoftime,meaningcustomerswereabletodeposit£3.5millionintotheiraccounts,andthencontinuetogamble,forover13months.While888didhaveself-exclusionproceduresinplace,theywerenotrobustenoughandfailedtoprotectpotentiallyvulnerablecustomers.
• 888alsofailedtorecognisevisiblesignsofproblemgamblingbehaviourdisplayedbyanindividualcustomer,whichwassosignificantthatitresultedincriminalactivity.
News
Coming soon...October special LA bulletinAdvancenoticethatinearlyOctoberwewillbeissuingabulletinfocusingontheannualLAreturnsstatistics.Thebulletinwillalsofeatureanumberofcasestudieswhichdisproveacommon(mis)perceptionthatsomeofficersandcouncillorshaveaboutgambling:ie‘wedon’treceivecomplaintssowedon’thaveanyproblems’.
licensing authority bulletin
Thecustomerstakedover£1.3million,including£55kstolenfromtheiremployer.Duringa13monthperiodthecustomerplacedalargenumberofbets,gamblingonaverage3-4hoursaday.Thelackofinteractionwiththecustomer,giventhefrequency,durationandsumsofmoneyinvolvedinthegambling,raisedseriousconcernsabout888’ssafeguardingofcustomersat-riskofgamblingharm.
Furtherdetailsavailableinourpublicstatement.
More progress needed to tackle problem gambling RecentlypublishedNatCenresearchonbehalfoftheCommissionshowsmoreprogressisneededtotackleproblemgamblinginGreatBritain.ThereportprovidesacomprehensiveanalysisofgamblingacrossallthenationsofGreatBritain-examiningtheratesofparticipation,at-riskgamblingandproblemgambling,andexplorestheassociatedcharacteristicsandbehaviours,combiningdatafromtheHealthSurveyforEngland2015,theScottishHealthSurvey2015andtheWalesOmnibusin2015.Headlinefindings:• 1.4%ofgamblerswereclassedasproblem
gamblers(0.8%ofthepopulation),with6.4%at-risk(3.9%ofthepopulation)–whichissimilartotheratepublishedinthe2012report.
• Problemgamblingwasmoreprevalentamongpeoplewhohadparticipatedinamultiplegamblingactivitiesinthepastyear,thanthosethathadjustparticipatedinone.
• 63%ofadults(aged16andover)inGreatBritainhadgambledinthepastyear.
• Men(66%)aremorelikelytogamblingthanwomen(59%).
• Mostpopulargamblingactivitieswere:NationalLotterydraws(46%),scratchcards(23%)andotherlotteries(15%).
• Overallparticipationwashighestamongthemiddleagegroupsandlowestamongtheyoungestandoldestagegroups.
• Thoseinemploymentortrainingweremorelikelytogamble(69%).Participationbythoseunemployedwasat56%and57%forthoseretired.
Briefing to Scottish ParliamentTobuildonourworkwiththeScottishParliament,werecentlyexhibitedattheParliamentatHolyrood.TheCommissionstandwasvisitedbyovertwentyMembersoftheScottishParliament(MSPs)andtheirstaffoverthe3days,whowerekeentodiscussFOBTsandremotegamblinginparticular,butwhoalsohighlightedarangeofissuesrelatingtogamblingharminbothruralandurbanareas.
AgroupMSPs,includingtheScottishGovernment’sLocalGovernmentMinister,KevinStewartMSP,theConveneroftheParliament’slocalGovernmentCommittee,BobDorisMSP,andStuartMcMillanMSPwhohasraisedarangeofgamblingrelatedissuesatHolyrood,alsoreceivedabriefingfromExecutiveDirectorTimMiller,TheCommissionhopestofollow-upontheinitiativewithfurthercontactwiththeScottishParliamentearlynextyear.
Reception in the Welsh Assembly TogetherwiththeDirectorsofPublicProtectionWaleswerecentlyhostedareceptionattheWelshAssemblyaimedatbuildingpartnershipstoreducegambling-relatedharm.
TheeventcomesonthebackofdatarecentlypublishedbytheCommissionthatshowedthereareapproximately27,000problemgamblersinWalesandafurther95,000atriskgamblers.
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licensing authority bulletin
TheMinisterforSocialServicesandPublicHealthRebeccaEvansAM,ChairofPublicProtectionWalesMarkElliottandSarahHarrison(ontheleftinthepicture)spokeattheevent,whichwasattendedbyPublicHealthWales,theChiefMedicalOfficerforWales,CitizensAdvice,policeandLAs.
MsHarrisonsaid:“Thereareover120,000peopleinWaleswhoareproblemgamblersoratriskofdevelopingaproblem.Theharmsthatcanarisefromgamblingcanbeevenmorewidereaching-affectingfamilies,businessesandcommunities.
“ByworkinginclosepartnershipwiththeWelshAssembly,localcouncils,andadvicebodiesweareseekingtotacklegambling-relatedharmandmakegamblingfairerandsaferforpeopleinWales.”
Responsible Gambling WeekAnational,cross-industryinitiativetopromoteresponsiblegambling,runningfrom12–18October2017.Duringtheweek,allsectorsofthegamblingindustry(arcades,bingoclubs,bookmakers,casinosandonline),inpartnershipwithspecialistcharitiesGambleAwareandGamCare,willcometogetherforthisunifiedcause.
Thecampaign’saimistoraiseawarenessamongstcustomersandthewiderpublicabouthowtogambleresponsibly,thetoolsthatareavailabletokeepgamblingsafeandfun,andwhereanyonecanfindhelpandsupportforthosewhoneedit.
Tospreadthemessageofresponsiblegamblingasfarandwideaspossible,theUKgamblingindustrywillbeleadingonarangeofactivitiesthroughtheweek:• Posters,leaflets,bannersandotherinformationpointsaboutRGWeekarebeingrolledoutacrossthecountryingamblingvenues,onindustrywebsitesandonsocialmediachannels,encouragingconversationsaboutgamblingresponsibly
• TheindustryisworkingwithGamCareanditspartnerstoestablishdedicatedinformationpointsaroundtheUKthatwillbeavailabletothegeneralpublicthroughouttheweek
• Staffatgamblingvenuesandonlinesiteswillcontinuetobepointsofcontactfortheircustomersonhowtogambleresponsibly
• OurpartnersGambleAwareandGamCarewillalsoberaisingawarenessaboutresponsiblegamblingthroughtheirwebsitesandcommunicationchannels
• OnlinechatroomsandinteractiveQ&AsessionsonsocialmediathroughdedicatedTwitterandFacebookaccountswillhelptoengagediscussionsaboutresponsiblegamblingmorebroadly
• AneventwillbeheldinParliamenttohelpbriefpoliticiansonwhatitmeanstogambleresponsiblyandwhattheycandotosharethemessagewiththeirconstituents.
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licensing authority bulletin
TheIndustryGroupforResponsibleGambling(IGRG)whichisrunningRGWeekisaskinglocalauthoritiestoparticipatetohelpspreadthemessagemorewidely.Togetinvolved,localauthoritiescanshareRGWeekmessagingandcollateralintheleaduptoandduringtheweek.Forexample,participatinglocalauthoritiescan:• Sharekeymessagingthroughtheirownmediachannelssuchasnewsletters,websitesandpressreleases;
• UsesocialmediachannelstosupportRGWeekbyfollowingandliking@RGWeek2017onTwitterandFacebookandbysharingorre-sharingcampaignmessagesduringtheweek;
• Sharethemessagingdigitally,viaforexamplemediascreensincounciloffices,librariesandcommunitycentres;
• PrintandplaceRGWeekcollateral(posters,leafletsandbanners)intheirvenue(s)throughouttheweek.
RGWeekcollateral(bothdigitalandforprinting)andmessagingisreadilyavailableandfreetouse,pleaseemailresponsiblegamblingweek@plmr.co.uktorequestit.Formoreinformation,pleasevisittheRGWeekwebsite,followonTwitterorlikeonFacebook.
GambleAware hosts Scottish Parliament eventInSeptemberGambleAware,hostedaneventintheScottishParliamenttoraiseawarenessofitsworkinScotlandandtohighlightgambling-relatedproblems.TheeventalsoaimedtoprovidepracticalguidanceandtrainingformembersoftheScottishParliament(MSP)andtheirstaffonhowtodealwithconstituentswhoaresufferingfrom,orshowingsignsof,gamblingrelatedproblems.
Guestsandattendeesheardfirst-handfromarecoveringgamblingaddictabouttheproblemstheyexperiencedwhichweredirectlylinkedtotheirgamblingaddictionbutmasqueradedasothercommonproblems.AttendeeswerethengivenpracticaltipsfromlocalGambleAwarefundedorganisationFastForwardonhowtopreventproblemgamblingthrougheducationaswellasguidancefromthelocaltreatmentcentreonhowtodealwithpeoplewhoaresufferingfromgamblingaddiction.
GambleAwarealsopresentedonwhyitwasimportanttoraiseawarenessofgamblingrelatedproblems,tohelpidentifyproblemgamblersaswellasgivingsomesuggestionsofhowattendeescanhelpraisetheprofileofthisproblemthroughparliamentaryquestionsandsocialmediapresence.
Commission raises awareness of potential risks for students who gambleWe’vepublishedsometipsforstudentsabouthowtoavoidriskygamblingandthesupportthatisavailableshouldtheyfeeltheirgamblingisbecomingaproblem.Thiscomesfollowingnewfiguresindicating2in3studentsgambleaccordingtoournewfigures.Whilstmanymaydosowithoutexperiencingharm,forsome,gamblingcanleadtodebt,timeawayfromlecturesandpotentiallyleadtoalongertermproblemwithgambling.
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licensing authority bulletin
Lancashire Police and Commission operation jails gaming machine coin thiefAmanhasbeenjailedfor20monthsfollowingajointoperationbetweenLancashirePoliceandtheCommission.Themanusedanarrayoftoolsandequipmenttostealmorethan£14,000frompubsandclubsacrossthecountry.AjointinvestigationwithLancashirePolice,usingsourcesofevidence,suchascompellingCCTVfootagewhichidentifiedtheoffender,ledtothemanbeingcapturedandjailed.
HelenVenn,Commissionprogrammedirectorforcompliancesaid:“Hereisanotherexcellentexampleofhowmulti-agencypartnershipscandeliverresults,andhelpkeepcrimeoutofgambling.
“Theteamworkingonthisjointoperationworkedquicklyandeffectively,usingtheevidenceandintelligenceavailabletothemtoidentifytheoffenders,andreducetheimpactthishadonboththegamingmachinesuppliers,thealcohollicensedpremisesandpublic.”
LAsandpoliceareencouragedtosendcasestudiesforinclusioninfuturebulletins.Pleasesupplydetailstoinfo@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
Third machine e-learning module launched
WehavebeenworkingwiththeInstituteofLicensing(IOL)toproduceaseriesofe-learningmodulesongamingmachinesandhavenowproducedthethirdandfinalmoduleinthisseries.
ThemodulesaredesignedtohelpLAsimprovetheirunderstandingofgamingmachinesandhowtheyareregulated.
Module1covers:•TheroleofLAsintheregulationofgambling•Whatisagamingmachine•Thevarioustypesofgamingmachines
Module2covers:•Thephysicalcomponentsofagamingmachine•Howgamingmachineswork•Thesignagedisplayedongamingmachines
Newmodule3covers:•Compliantmachinesininappropriateplaces(illegalsiting)•Examplesoftypesofnon-compliantmachines•Howtotakeregulatoryaction.
Thesemodulescanbeaccessedbyanybody.YoucanaccessthesemodulesviatheIOLwebsite,andtheyareCPDaccredited(basedona30minuteaverage).Onceonthewebsitesimplyclickonthee-learningtabonthetopright,thenloginifyouhaveanexistingaccount,orrequestaloginviamembership@instituteoflicensing.orgtogetstarted.
Pleasenote,thatthegamingmachinessectorisadiverseandcomplexoneandthistrainingisonlydesignedtogiveabasicintroduction,forhelpwithcomplexissuesseekspecialistadvice.
Weareconsideringtopicsforfuturee-learningmodulesforlicensingauthoritiesandpolice,pleasesubmitsuggestionstoinfo@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
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Advice and guidance
Case studies
licensing authority bulletin
Bongo BingoWehavegrantedanon-remotebingooperatinglicencetoSHUALtd,morecommonlyknownasBongoBingo,allowingthemtoprovidefacilitiesforhighturnoverbingo(ietheaggregatestakesorprizesforbingoinanysevendayperiodmayexceed£2,000).ThecompanytypicallyprovidesequalchancegamingatpubsandnightclubsthroughoutBritain,inrelianceonthealcohollicenceheldbythepremises,andthereforedoessoundertherulesforexemptgaming.
LAsshouldbeawarethatoneoftheconditionsofthisoperator’slicenceisthattheymustnotifyboththeCommissionandtherelevantLAat least 28 daysbeforeanyeventtakesplaceinnewpremises,byprovidingadescriptionoftheeventtakingplace,acopyofthepremisescontractandanyamendmenttotherulestothebingo.
LAsareremindedofinformationintheMayLABulletinaboutparticipationfeesforbingoplayedasequalchancegaminginpubsandotheralcohol-licensedpremises.LAswithconcernsaboutalcohollicensedpremisesplayingbingowithstakesandprizesexceedingthe£2,000weeklylimitorwherethereisapossiblefeetoplay,shouldcontacttheircompliancemanagerinthefirstinstance.
Lottery ticket vending machinesLotteryticketvendingmachinesshouldnotbeconfusedwithB3AgamingmachinesthatofferlotterystylegamesbutareclassedasgamingmachinesandsubjecttoseparateandspecificrequirementsundertheAct.FurthertotheJunebulletinitem,aboutwheresuchmachinescanbelocated,wehavenowaddedtotheinformationonourwebsiteaboutthesemachinesincludingdetailsofhowandwheretheycanlawfullysited,andtherequirementstodoso.
House rafflesFollowingarecentfeatureontheBBC’sOneShow,LAsareremindedabouttheriseinthenumberofhomeownersofferingtheirhouseasaprize,eitherthroughpeoplebuyingaticketinadraw,orbypayingtoenteracompetition.Ourconcernisthatweareseeinginstanceswhereorganisersarebreakingthelawastheirschemehasbeensetupinawaythatmeansitisanillegallottery.
Raffles,orlotteriesastheyarecalledingamblinglaw,arewhereyoupaytoenterandtheresultispurelybasedonchance-likeatombolaordraw-andthereisaprize.Undergamblinglawlotteriesareaformofgamblingandtherearerulesabouthowtheycanberunandwhocanrunthem.Thepersonconcernedmayneedalicencefromusoraregistrationwiththeirlocalauthoritybeforetheycanpromotealottery.
Othersmalllotteries,suchasthosepromotedatfundraisingeventscanoperatewithoutspecificpermissionbuttheyarestillsubjecttosomebasicrules.
Mostimportantly,lotteriescanonlyberunforgoodcauses–suchascharities,hospices,air-ambulanceservicesorothernot-for-profitcauses,theycannotberunforprivateorcommercialgain.Charitiesandothernon-commercialorganisationswhorunlotteriesrelyheavilyontheincometheyreceivefromlotteriestosupporttheimportantworktheydo.
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licensing authority bulletin
Lastyearalonesawsocietylotterieslicensedbyusraise£230millionforgoodcauses–anditisimportantthatthisareaofgamblingispreservedforthosegoodcausesratherthanbeingusedunlawfullyforprivateorcommercialgain.
Mostoftherecenthouseraffleschemesweareawareofhavebeenoperatedasfreedrawsorprizewhicharenotlegallycaughtasgamblingwhichwedonotregulatenorprovideadviceonhowtheyshouldbeorganised.However,theseschemescanlooksimilartolotteriesandsowehaveproducedguidanceonfreedrawsandprizecompetitions,whichprovidesometipsonthedifferencebetweenlotteries,competitionsandfreedraws.
Wecontinuetomonitortheboundarybetweenlot-teries,competitionsandfreedrawstomakesurethatpeoplewhoorganiselotteriesoperatelawfully,andifnecessary,areproperlylicensed.Weknowmanypeoplerunningthesekindofschemeswillwanttobecreativetogivetheirprizecompetitionorfreedrawsomeappeal,buttheymustfollowtherules.
LAswithconcernsabouthouserafflesintheirareashouldcontacttheirlocalcompliancemanager.
Reminder about direct access
Duringsomerecentjointvisits,wehavebecomeawareofanumberofbreachesofthemandatoryanddefaultpremiseslicenceconditionsinrelationtodirectaccessbetweengamblingpremises.Examplesinclude:•Afamilyentertainmentcentre(FEC)andadjoiningadultgamingcentre(AGC)bothwiththeirownentrancesfromthestreetbutwithdirectaccessbetweenthetwointernally.
•SeveralpremiseswheretherewasjustanareaofcarpetseparatingtheFECandAGCs(insomeinstancesthecarpetwasallthesamecolour)
•Anarcadewithdirectaccessbetweenthe3AGCsandalsointotheuFEC.
FollowingdiscussionsbetweentheLA,usandtheoperator,theseissuesarenowbeingrectifiedtoachievecompliancewiththeconditions.
LAsareremindedoftheaccessrequirementsinrelationtopremises.IntheAct,‘premises’isdefinedasincluding‘anyplace’.S152thereforepreventsmorethanonepremiseslicenceapplyingtoanyplace.But,thereisnoreasoninprinciplewhyasinglebuildingcouldnotbesubjecttomorethanonepremiseslicence,providedtheyarefordifferentpartsofthebuilding,andthedifferentpartsofthebuildingcanreasonablyberegardedasbeingdifferentpremises.
Thisapproachhasbeentakentoallowlarge,multipleunitpremisessuchaspleasureparks,tracks,orshoppingmallstoobtaindiscretepremiseslicences,whereappropriatesafeguardsareinplace.However,LAsshouldpayparticularattentionifthereareissuesaboutsub-divisionofasinglebuildingorplotandshouldensurethatmandatoryconditionsrelatingtoaccessbetweenpremisesareobserved.
TheGamblingAct2005(MandatoryandDefaultConditions)Regulations(SI2007/1409forEnglandandWalesandSSI2007/266forScotland)setouttheaccessprovisionsforeachtypeofpremises.Thebroadprincipleisthatthere can be no access from one licensed gambling premises to another,exceptbetweenpremiseswhichallowaccesstothoseundertheageof18andwiththefurtherexceptionthatlicensedbettingpremisesmaybeaccessedfromotherlicensedbettingpremises.Under-18scangointoFECs,tracks,pubsandsomebingoclubs,soaccessisallowedbetweenthesetypesofpremises.
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licensing authority bulletin
TheseRegulationsdefinestreetas‘includinganybridge,road,lane,footway,subway,square,court,alleyorpassage(includingpassagesthroughenclosedpremisessuchasshoppingmalls)whetherathoroughfareornot’.Thisistoallowaccessthroughareaswhichthepublicmightenterforpurposesotherthangambling,forexample,accesstocasinosfromhotelfoyers.
Thereisnodefinitionof‘directaccess’intheActorregulations,butLAsmayconsiderthatthereshouldbeanareaseparatingthepremisesconcerned,forexampleastreetorcafe,whichthepublicgotoforpurposesotherthangambling,fortheretobenodirectaccess.
Therelevantaccessprovisionsforeachpremisestypeisasfollows:
Type of premises Access provisionsCasinos •theprincipalentrancetothe
premisesmustbefroma‘street’•noentrancetoacasinomustbefrompremisesthatareusedwhollyormainlybychildrenand/oryoungpersons•nocustomermustbeabletoenteracasinodirectlyfromanyotherpremiseswhichholdsagamblingpremiseslicence.
AGCs •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromanyotherlicensedgamblingpremises.
Bettingshops •accessmustbefroma‘street’orfromotherpremiseswithabettingpremiseslicence•nodirectaccessfromabettingshoptoanotherpremisesusedfortheretailsaleofmerchandiseorservices.Ineffecttherecannotbeanentrancetoabettingshopfromashopofanykindunlessthatshopisitselfalicensedbettingpremises.
Tracks •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromacasinoorAGC
Bingopremises •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromacasino,anAGCorabettingpremises,otherthanatrack
FECs •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromacasino,anAGCorabettingpremises,otherthanatrack
Section7oftheGuidancetoLicensingAuthoritiescontainsdetailedinformationaboutthepremiseslicenceregulationsandwehaveaquickguideonmulti-activitysites.IfLAshaveconcernsaboutanynewapplicationsofthissort,oraboutarrangementsthatarealreadyinplace,pleasecontactyourcompliancemanagerinthefirstinstance.
Six-monthly London boroughs meeting WeareholdingoursecondmeetingoftheyearforlicensingofficersfromLondonBoroughsonThursday5October2017inCamdentownhall.UpdateswillbeprovidedontopicsincludingStatementofPoliciesandGambleaware.Londonlicensingauthoritiesshouldcontactinfo@gamblingcommission.gov.ukifyouhaven’talreadyreceivedyourinvitation.
Gambling related legislationAlistofgamblingrelatedlegislationisavailableonourwebsitealthoughyoushouldverifyforyourselfwhetherlegislationisinforceorwhetherithasbeenamendedorrepealedbysubsequentlegislation.
Gambleaware remote gambling research RecentlypublishedresearchcommissionedbyGambleawarehasshownthatonlinegamblingoperatorscanusethedatatheyholdoncustomerplaytospotthosewithgamblingproblemsoratriskofdevelopingproblems.
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Information sharing
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licensing authority bulletin
Over10,000customersgavepermissionfortheirdatatobeused.
Inthedataongamblers’play,theresearchfoundindicatorsthat,whenconsideredcollectively,arestrongsignsofpotentiallyproblematicgambling.Theyinclude:●Averagenumberofbetsperday–non-problemgamblerstypicallybetbetween2-7timesaday,whereasproblemgamblerstypicallybetbetween5-90timesaday.
●Higheraveragevalueofbetplaced–non-problemgamblerstypicallybetjust£14onadaywhentheybet,whereasproblemgamblersbetonaverage£98.
●Timeofdayandweek–problemgamblersinthestudyweremorelikelytoplacebetsbetweenmidnightand4am,andtogamblethroughouttheweek,ratherthanmainlyonaSaturday,whennon-problemgamblersdomostoftheirgambling.
●Deposits–problemgamblersmakemoredeposits,evenaftertakingintoaccountthattheygamblemore.Theoccurrenceofafaileddepositwasalsoariskindicator.
●Volatility–problemgamblersinthestudyexperiencedhighvariationintheamountwonandtheamountlost,andextremelosses.
Scottish guidance on public entertainment licences for funfairsInJulytheScottishGovernmentpublishedCivicGovernment(Scotland)Act1982Guidanceonpublicentertainmentlicencesrelatingtofunfairs.TheguidancerelatestotheroleofScottishLAsinconsideringandgrantingapplicationsforfunfairs.ScottishLAsareremindedofourquickguidewhichsetsoutthemachineentitlementspermittedatfairsandfairgrounds.
Publication of Scottish alcohol licence numbersTheliquorlicensingstatisticsScotland2016-17wererecentlypublished,providingdataonpremisesandpersonallicencesinforce,applicationsandreviews,aswellasnumbersoflicensingstandardsofficers(LSOs)employedandthenumberofoccasionallicencesissued.
Thestatisticsindicated:•Theoverallnumberofpremiseslicencesinforceon31March2017,atjustunder16,700,hasshownaveryslightupwardtrendoverthelastsevenyears,increasingby2percentsinceMarch2011.Around70%oflicencesrelatedtoonsalesonly.UndertheGamblingAct2005premisesholdingalcoholpremiseslicenceshaveanautomaticentitlementtooperatecertaintypesandnumbersofgamingmachines.•Scottishlocalauthoritiesemployedafull-timeequivalentof57LSOsatMarch2017,thesameasin2016.TheCityofEdinburghemployedthelargestnumberofLSOswithafulltimeequivalentofseven,withAberdeenshire,FifeandGlasgoweachemployingfour.
Gambling training modules for LAsWehaveanumberofrefreshermodulesforlicensingofficerswhichcompliancemanagerscandeliverattheseatregional/IOLlicensingmeetings.Modulesavailableare:•Moneylaundering-new• Illegalbettinginpubs•Pokerinpubs•Smallsocietylotteries•Clubgamingandclubmachinepermits• TestpurchasinginEnglandandWales•Gamingmachines•Bettingattracks•Moneylaundering(forpolice/LAs)•Policepowersonconductinggamblingpremisesinspections(ingamblingpremisesandalcohollicensedpremisesinEnglandandWales)
•Permitrenewals.
Ifyouareinterestedinreceivingsuchtraining,pleasecontactyourcompliancemanager.
List of Primary Authority gambling agreements GamblingPrimaryAuthorities(PA)agreementssignedtodate.LAsareremindedthatthereisno restrictiononanyLAswishingtoundertakeproactivetestpurchasingactivitywherethePAhasnotdevelopedaNationalInspectionStrategy.PleasecontactthePAdirectlyifyouwishtoparticipateintheNIStesting.
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licensing authority bulletin
MiltonKeynes-Ladbrokes/Coralsfrom2October(withNationalInspectionStrategy)MiltonKeynes-WelcomeBreakfrom2OctoberReading-PaddyPower(withNationalInspectionStrategy)Reading-BACTAReading-ABBWestminster-WilliamHill
LAsshouldcheckthePrimaryAuthorityregistertoseewhichtradeassociationmembershavesigneduptotheBACTAandABBagreements(youneedtosearchforReadingorforthenameoftheoperatoritself).
AsetoffrequentlyaskedquestionsisavailableonthePAregister(loginthensearchofforaPAgamblingpartnership–listedabove–andthengototheadvice/informationsectionoftheregister).
TheyexplainthebackgroundtoPAgamblingagreementsandthedifferencebetweenPAadviceandNIS.TheFAQssetouthowoperatorsusethirdpartyageverificationtesting,howthetestsareconductedandwhathavingaPArelationshipmeans.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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licensing authority bulletin
Gambling Act statutory notices and forms
LAsareadvisedthatDCMShasaskedtheCommissiontohostallthestatutorynoticesandapplicationformsontheCommission’swebsiteastheyarenolongeravailableontheDCMSwebsite.
Using the right formsItisastatutoryrequirementthatapplicantsusethecorrectformstogivepropernoticeofapplications,variationsetctoallresponsibleauthorities,includingtheCommission(part3,s12and13oftheGamblingAct2005(PremisesLicencesandProvisionalStatements)Regulations2007).
LAsalsohavestatutorydutiestonotifytheCommissionaswellastheapplicantandotherresponsibleauthoritiesofthegrant/rejectionofapplications(new,variations,transfersetc)aswellastherevocation,surrenderorlapseofapremiseslicenceusingthecorrectstatutoryforms.
Havingallthestatutoryforms(bothinEnglishandinWelsh)inoneplaceshouldhelpyoutocomplywiththosestatutoryprocesses.
InadditionweareawarethatthegamblingpagesonmanyLAwebsitessignpostapplicantstotheDCMSwebsiteformoreinformation.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.
Find operating licence holdersOurpublicregistercontainsnamesofallcompaniesandindividualswhohold,orhaveappliedfor,operatinglicencesinGreatBritainalongwiththenamesofcompaniesorindividualswhoselicenceshavelapsed,beenrevoked,forfeited,expired,suspendedorsurrenderedinthelast6months.
LAsareremindedtochecktheoperatorlicencequotedonpremisesapplicationswiththeregisterbeforegrantingapremiseslicence.
Anapplicationforpremiseslicencemayonlybemadebypersonswhohaveanoperatinglicencewhichallowsthemtocarryouttheproposedactivity,forexample,abingooperatinglicenceforabingopremises,orhaveappliedforanoperatinglicence(althoughthepremiseslicencecannotbedetermineduntilanoperatinglicencehasbeenissued).
Change of licensing personnel?Wetrytoensureourcontactrecordsareup-to-date,butpleasehelpusoutbylettingusknowwhenthereareanychangesofgamblingcontactsinyourLAsothatourcommunicationsreachthecorrectperson.
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Join our LinkedIn group OurlicensingofficersandLAsgroupisaimedathelpinglicensingofficersunderstandthekeyroleLAsplayingamblingregulationinGreatBritain.
YoucansharegoodpracticeandfindouthowLAshaveanumberofregulatoryfunctionsincludingissuingpremiseslicences,regulatinggamingandgamingmachinesinclubsandpubs,inspectionandenforcementoflicencesandlotsmore.
YoucanalsofollowtheLinkedInGamblingCommissioncompanypage.
Keeping gambling fair and safe for allwww.gamblingcommission.gov.uk