The same day that Singapore published its draft Casino Control bill, the new independent watchdog for gambling in Britain, the Gambling Commission, yesterday published its draft Statement of Principles for consultation. Issues to be addressed include important topics such as necessary measures to keep crime out of gambling, preventing children and young people from gambling, and ensuring that gambling remains fair and open. Also to be considered are ways to prevent children from gambling online and measures for the protection of vulnerable people.

The Chairman of the Gambling Commission, Peter Dean, commented, “The Gambling Act 2005 will come fully into force by September 2007. It tasks the Commission with implementing and overseeing a rigorous new regulatory regime for commercial gambling in Britain. We will be setting new conditions under which licences are granted to gambling operators and staff and issuing new codes of practice, and we will have legal powers to monitor the industry and to prosecute illegal gambling.”

The Commission will be consulting actively with the gambling industry, government bodies, consumer organisations, charities dealing with problem gambling, faith groups and members of the public. The Statement of Principles is the first document to be launched by the Commission as its major consultation process continues with the stated aim of a proportionate, fair and effective approach to drafting licensing conditions and codes of practice for the industry. The consultation will cover both overall policy on licensing and regulation and on issues related to specific gambling activities.

Before the end of 2005 a consultation draft will be issued on the Commission’s revised guidance to local licensing authorities. Early in 2006 information will be given on the conditions under which the Commission will manage and issue operating and personal licences, and codes of practice for the industry. The Gambling Commission will move to its new headquarters in Birmingham by June next year, and by January 2007 intends to be ready to receive applications for the new licences under the Gambling Act 2005. These new licences are expected to take effect in the autumn of 2007, along with all aspects of the Gambling Act.

Closing date for comments on the Statement of Principles is Friday, 27 January 2006 and a copy of the document is available at www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.(E-10.18.05)

© Copyright 2005 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage