How we regulate
Almost all of our activity is governed by the three licensing
objectives set out in section one of the Gambling Act 2005:
- Keeping crime out of gambling.
- Ensuring gambling is conducted fairly and
openly.
- Protecting children and vulnerable people
from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
Issuing licences
We issue operating licences to organisations
and individuals who are providing facilities for gambling. We also
issue personal licences to certain individuals working within the
gambling industry.
We issue the
Licence
conditions and codes of practice - consolidated December 2011 (LCCP) which sets out
the manner in which facilities for gambling should be provided.
We work closely with the gambling industry and
other stakeholders, such as community groups, to consult and
develop policies around the licensing objectives, including the
LCCP.
Enforcement action
We work closely with licence holders to ensure they comply
with the LCCP. We check that they have procedures in place to
comply with the law, and therefore protect the public.
We have legal powers to deal with licensed operators who do not
comply with the LCCP including being able to impose unlimited
fines, suspensions or revocations of licences. We also have the
powers to investigate and prosecute illegal gambling under the
Gambling Act 2005.
We have enforcement powers to tackle illegal gambling and
cheating and are able to initiate criminal proceedings.
We work closely with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC),
local law enforcement and licensing authorities.
Providing advice
We are the primary advisory body to local and national
government on gambling including the:
- incidence of gambling
- manner in which gambling is carried out
- effects of gambling
- regulation of gambling.
A brief introductory leaflet
Who
we are and what we do - May 2013, is available to
download. The Terms & Conditions section of this website
contains further information on legal advice.
Page last reviewed: March
2011