Gambling Commission warns operators on primary gambling activity rules

The Gambling Commission has issued a reminder to licensed operators that betting premises must offer betting as the primary gambling activity, a requirement contained in its Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) (Supplement 4).

The move comes after South Rochford District Council and Thurrock Council recently rejected two betting premises licence applications.

In both cases the Commission made representations with a view to establishing principle and precedent in relation to the provision of the primary gambling activity.

The Commission has now directly supported councils in more than 20 cases where the operator has either withdrawn or the local authority has decided not to grant the application.

The Gambling Commission’s Director of Regulation, Nick Tofiluk said: “These cases are a reminder to licensed betting operators that betting must be the primary gambling activity on their betting premises.

“Those seeking to operate betting premises where betting appears not to be the primary gambling activity can expect to face difficulties in being granted a premises licence and are likely to attract further regulatory attention from the Gambling Commission.”

The regulator said it was also closely monitoring operators who appear to be offering gaming machines as the primary gambling activity on their betting premises. In some cases it is reviewing the operations of licence holders.

More information is contained in the Commission’s Guidance to licensing authorities - May 2009 and Licence conditions and codes of practice supplement 4: primary gambling activity - January 2009 can be downloaded from www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.