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Guidance

Guidance to licensing authorities

The Gambling Commission's guidance for licensing authorities.

Published
1 April 2021

Last updated
14 September 2023 - Changes

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Contents

5 - Betting on event and non-event days

20.25. All track premises licences are subject to a default condition that gambling facilities can only be provided at the track between the hours of 7am and 10pm (SI no 1409: Gambling Act 2005 (Mandatory and Default Conditions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (opens in new tab) and SSI no 266: Gambling Act 2005 (Mandatory and Default Conditions) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (opens in new tab)). Gambling facilities can be provided during this time, regardless of whether or not a sporting event is taking place. The default condition does not apply however on days when a sporting event is taking place on the premises.

Hours of betting on non-event days

20.26. On days when no sporting event is taking place, a track premises licence is subject to the default condition on times for operating.

20.27. Some tracks have traditionally offered, and will wish to continue to offer, facilities for gambling outside the proposed gambling hours on non-event days. For example, to screen live televised events from other time-zones (which may take place after 10pm or before 7am) and provide betting facilities during those events. Tracks can apply for the default condition to be amended or removed to address this.

20.28. Where tracks plan to open and allow provision for betting facilities on non-event days, betting operators will need to either exclude children from the premises on these days or demonstrate that they are able to exclude children and young persons from betting areas (Section 182 (2) of the Act (as amended by SI 2007 – 1410)). In simple terms, on non-event days, tracks become similar to licensed betting offices on the high street. Tracks may achieve this requirement by:

  • locating all betting areas inside an area of the premises that is separated from the remainder of the premises by a physical barrier, thereby preventing access other than through a designated entrance
  • only admitting adults to the part of the track where betting areas are located, by establishing procedures for verifying customer ages and refusing entry to adult-only areas for those unable to produce an acceptable form of identification (and taking action where there are unlawful attempts to enter adult-only areas)
  • placing prominent notices in front of and inside each entrance stating that access to the area is prohibited to persons under 18.

20.29. Licensing authorities may choose to reduce the default gambling hours, providing any reduction is in line with the principles set out in s.153 of the Act.

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Social responsibility considerations for tracks
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