Gambling

Information about the Gambling Act 2005

From September 2007, the Gambling Act 2005 passed the responsibility for licensing premises involved with gambling to the council and the new Gambling Commission, from the existing regulator the Gambling Board.

We must carry out our new functions with a view to promoting the three licensing objectives as stated in the Gambling Act 2005:

• preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder, or being used to support crime;
• ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and
• protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling;

The council is responsible for licensing gambling premises in South Oxfordshire, as well as issue permits for lower stake gaming machines. The act applies to casinos, bingo clubs, lotteries and gaming machines. The Gambling Commission will take on the responsibility for issuing personal licences and operators licences under the Act.

South Oxfordshire District Council Statement of Principles

Under the Gambling Act 2005, the council is required to prepare a Statement of Principles. The statement sets out the approach we take in promoting the licensing objectives. You can download a copy of the statement from the menu on the right.

For further details, please contact Licensing.