Advice and guidance updates
New E learning modules
The Institute of Licensing (opens in new tab) and the Commission have worked together to produce two more gambling e-learning modules to add to the existing suite of gaming machine modules.
- Inspection powers and inspection preparation – designed to help co-regulators familiarise themselves with their powers to enter and inspect gambling premises and the preparation to undertake before conducting an inspection of any gambling premises (0.5 hours CPD)
- Introduction to inspecting a betting premises – aimed at helping co-regulators improve their understanding of what to check when conducting an inspection of a betting premises - both inside and outside the premises.(1 hour CPD).
The new modules sit alongside the three existing ones about gaming machines which cover the various types of gaming machines, the physical components and signage requirements and how to deal with non-compliant machines.
The gaming machines sector is a diverse and complex one and these modules are only designed to give a basic introduction, for help with complex issues seek specialist advice.
All of these modules can be accessed by anybody. You can access these modules via the IOL website, and they are CPD accredited. Once on the website simply click on the ‘e-learning’ tab on the top right, then log in if you have an existing account, or request a log in via membership@instituteoflicensing.org to get started.
Reminder about Primary Authority gambling agreements
Following a few recent queries, LAs are reminded that whilst the National Inspection Strategies are no longer in place in the Ladbrokes/Coral and Paddy Powers partnerships, any LAs wishing to undertake proactive test purchasing must use the test purchasing protocol and methodology set by the Primary Authority (PA).
Officers can access the PA contact details on the Primary Authority Register along with further information about the age verification agreements, in advance of an inspection of an operators with a PA agreement in order to get the most of out the visit. Details of the gambling age verification PA agreements signed to date are on our website.
Reminder about crane grabs and limited prize gaming machines
LAs are reminded that crane grab machines (non complex category D machines with a maximum stake of £1 and a maximum prize of £50 (non-monetary)) are gaming machines and a premises licence or permit from the licensing authority is needed to site them.
They should only be sited in premises used wholly or mainly for making gaming machines available (such as AGCs, FECs or UFECs) or in premises with an appropriate permit (for example, a pub) and therefore not in the corridors of motorway service centres or shopping centres. They should be labelled as category D gaming machines. Further information is available on our website with some example of crane grab machines.
In contrast limited prize gaming machines are exempt from licence or permit requirements as the prize value does not exceed the cost to play.
S249 of the Act, states that a person does not commit an offence under s37 or s242 if they make a gaming machine available for use by an individual; and the individual does not, by using the machine, acquire an opportunity to win a prize of a value in excess of the amount paid for or in connection with use of the machine. These “limited prize gaming machines” can therefore be legitimately sited in areas not covered by a permit or licence and do not have any signage requirements beyond stating “play until you win” or “prize every time”.
The Point-to-Point horse-race season has started!
Most point-to-point meetings offer commercial betting facilities under an occasional use notice (OUN) which must be sent in writing to the LA.
Point-to point organisers have a responsibility to ensure that commercial betting facilities at meetings are provided lawfully. For general betting facilities this means by holders of a betting operator’s licence.
A small number of point-to-point organisers have also historically offered pool betting facilities under an authorisation provided by the Tote.
Any authorisations granted to individuals under the terms of the Tote’s exclusive licence ceased to have effect as of 13 July 2018. Pool betting at these locations can now only be provided by the holder of a pool betting licence or through a new authorisation provided by a pool betting licensee. We have liaised with the Point to Point community about this matter but would also ask that you consider this point when served with an OUN in the future. More guidance on the lawful use of occasional use notices can be found on our website.
LAs are also reminded that an OUN must be submitted for EACH day that betting activity will be conducted on the premises. For example, if betting activity is taking place over 3 consecutive days, then 3 separate notices must be submitted by the operator.
Updated consolidated codes of practice
Following a consultation last year the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) was updated to reflect changes to provide stronger protection for consumers and ensure they are treated fairly by gambling businesses. These LCCP changes came into force on 31 October 2018.
This version of the consolidated gambling codes of practice for LAs reflects the social responsibility (SR) and ordinary code (OC) changes. The amended or new SR codes are 1.1.2; 1.1.3; 4.2.10; 5.1.6; 5.1.7; 5.19; 5.1.11; 6.1.1 and OC 5.1.8 and 5.1.10.
Updated LLEP assessment templates
The assessment templates have also been updated to reflect the above-mentioned LCCP changes, and the statement on entry advice has been updated on the website to make it clearer for LAs to follow. There is now an explanation of how the information sheets can help them comply with The Gambling Act 2005 (Inspection) (Provision of Information) Regulations 2007.
It also emphasises the fact that if LAs use the premises information templates, they will have to amend it to show their own contact details before issuing to operators.
Information exchange between the Commission and police forces
We have produced an information note setting out how the Commission and police forces in England and Wales can share information in order to monitor the incidence of gambling in Great Britain and to uncover illegal activity associated with gambling. We hope to produce a similar note for Scottish police next year.
Public Health toolkit
LAs are reminded that we have range of information about gambling and public health on our website, research and evidence, national and local initiatives (including work in Leeds, Wirral, and Brighton and Hove) and resources available for both public health and licensing teams including a briefing note suggesting steps they can take in developing a ‘whole Council’ approach to gambling harm. The Royal Society for Public Health have developed an e-learning resource to assist front line staff in providing a brief intervention to address the risks and harms associated with problem gambling.
Previous pageLA Bulletin November 2018 - Feature article: Lotteries promoted on social media Next page
LA Bulletin November 2018 - Information sharing
Last updated: 1 July 2024
Show updates to this content
Corrected formatting issues only.