This page contains information about the Gambling Act 2005. If you need any help or advice about anything on this page please contact us by telephone or email. Our telephone line is open Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm and Friday 9am - 4:30pm. You can also offer us feedback on our service by filling out our online customer feedback form.
Introduction
The Gambling Act 2005 controls the way commercial gambling is licensed in Great Britain. We are the licensing authority for Leeds and work closely with the Gambling Commission who are the national gambling regulator.
A summary of the Act
- Any person or business wishing to operate a gambling business in Leeds such as a bookmakers or amusement arcades, must first apply for an operating licence and any relevant personal licences from the Gambling Commission
- After this they can then apply to us for a premises licence for each individual premises that they wish to licence in the Leeds area
- The council and the Gambling Commission will make decisions in accordance with the three licensing objectives, which are;
- preventing gambling being a source of crime or disorder
- ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
- protecting children and the vulnerable from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
The Gambling Commission
The Gambling Commission is the national gambling regulator playing a key role in overseeing the Gambling Act 2005. The commission issues personal and operating licences to gambling businesses and staff as well as various codes of practice about how gambling should be conducted.
They also investigate illegal gambling and have powers to prosecute organisers of such activity. The Gambling Commission collects information from local authorities about gambling so that they can regulate gambling effectively and advise the government about the extent of gambling in the United Kingdom.
Local licensing authorities
We issue premises licenses for betting offices, race tracks, bingo clubs, adult gaming centres and family entertainment centres.
We will also issue permits for gaming machines in members' clubs and licensed premises, gaming in members' clubs, prize gaming and unlicensed family entertainment centres. We will also approve temporary use notices and issue provisional statements (provisional statements are a kind of licence issued before a building is built or altered for the purpose of gambling).
Fees
The fee structure is set by the Government and we work within this. See the page links on this page which will take you to a page on our gambling fees.
Statement of Licensing policy
The act requires each licensing authority to produce a 'Statement of Licensing Policy'. Please see the page links on this page which will take you to a page on our 'statement of licensing policy'.