Deadline for local authority returns nears

Press release

Date: 10 May 2012

Licensing authorities are being reminded that submission of their annual return to the Gambling Commission (the Commission) is required by Monday 14 May.

The Commission requires annual returns from each authority in Great Britain regarding local licensing activity under the Gambling Act 2005. This year’s annual return covers the period 1 April 2011 to March 2012 and can be submitted and stored online at www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

The annual return is listed as a requirement in the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Single Data List and is used by the Commission in its advisory role to government.  An analysis and report based on the returns is published each year.

Last month the Commission wrote to all licensing authorities to remind them of the detailed requirements for completing their annual return. Further information can be found at http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk  or by contacting the Commission on (0121) 230 6666.

Ends

Notes to editors

The Gambling Commission

  1. 1. The Gambling Commission (the Commission) regulates gambling in the public interest alongside its co-regulators local licensing authorities. 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. 2. The Commission and local licensing authorities are 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. 3.Licensing authorities issue premises licences the Commission issues gambling operating licences and provides technical support and expertise to licensing authorities, local police and other organisations, while concentrating its own regulatory effort at a regional and national level.
  4. 4.The easiest way to submit the return is using the Gambling Commission’s online system at https://secure.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/lareturnsweb/Default.aspx. Alternatively a template can be downloaded from the licensing authorities section of the Gambling Commission website and sent to localauthority@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.   
  5. 5.Licensing Authority Statistics for 2011/12 are available online at http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/pdf/licensing%20authority%20statistics%20april%202010%20to%20march%202011.pdf.     

Further information

  1. Further information is available from the Commission's website. Gambling Commission: John Travers on (0121) 230 6700 or communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.