Less than one month to 28 October deadline for first annual regulatory returns

Press release

Date: 29 September 2008

Licensed gambling operators who have not yet completed their annual regulatory returns and who have been licensed since 1 September last year are being reminded they have less than a month remaining to file their first regulatory return with the Commission.

The returns, which can be completed by hand or through the secure online regulatory returns service should reach the Commission by close of business on Tuesday 28 October at the latest. 

Operators who have completed their first annual regulatory return need take no further action at this stage. Casino operators, larger betting operators and those licensed to offer remote betting, bingo or casino gambling to the public (including telephone betting) are required to submit returns each quarter and need not submit an annual return in addition to their existing quarterly returns.

The Gambling Commission’s Director of Licensing and Compliance, Hazel Canter commented:

“We know that many operators planned to end their first regulatory year on 30 September 2008 and returns from these licensees must be with us by Tuesday 28 October at the latest.”

“We have previously written to operators reminding them of this requirement under the Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice and we recommend they use the secure online regulatory returns service on our website to complete their return.”

A guide on completing the return for each industry sector is available on the Commission’s website. Operators need to complete a regulatory return for each sector that they operate in. For example, an arcade operator running five Family Entertainment Centres and one Adult Gaming Centre would need to submit one return recording the total of the data from all the FEC premises, along with one return for the single AGC premises.

In broad terms each return requires a financial overview of the amount of gambling activity undertaken and specific details of key regulatory events in the past year. The specific details differ for each industry sector.

The information provided will be processed for the purposes necessary for the Commission to carry out its functions and meet its legal obligations. Financial and other information provided in confidence will be stored securely and the confidential nature of the information will be respected.

The secure regulatory returns service can be found from our homepage. It allows an operator to register with a unique password and to build up their regulatory return over time before sending in the final version. Paper copies of the form can be posted out to operators who call (0121) 230 6666 or email regulatory.returns@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.  

Notes to editors

The Gambling Commission

  1. The Gambling Commission (the Commission) regulates gambling in the public interest. It does so by keeping crime out of gambling, by ensuring that gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and by protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling. The Commission also provides independent advice to government on gambling in Britain.
  2. The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling in Great Britain other than the National Lottery and spread betting, which are the responsibility of the National Lottery Commission and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) respectively.
  3. Details of the requirements for each sector can be found on the Gambling Commission website.
  4. The requirement to provide the Commission with information is a requirement for all licensees under Licence Condition 15. Any operator who refuses to comply, risks action by the Commission.
  5. Casino operators and operators of more than 50 betting shops are required to complete their returns on a quarterly basis as are those licensed to offer remote betting, bingo or casino to the public.

Further information

Further information is available from the Commission’s website.

Contact John Travers on (0121) 230 6700, (07852) 124624 or communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.