In this edition...

News• Gamblingfirm888topayover£7.8millionforfailingvulnerablecustomers

• Moreprogressneededtotackleproblemgambling

• BriefingtoScottishParliament• ReceptionintheWelshAssembly• ResponsibleGamblingWeek• GambleAwarehostsScottishParliamentevent• Commissionraisesawarenessofpotentialrisksforstudentswhogamble

Case studies • NewLancashirePoliceandCommissionoperationjailsgamingmachinecointhief

Advice and guidance updates• NewThirdmachinee-learningmodulelaunched• NewBongoBingo• NewLotteryticketvendingmachines• NewHouseraffles• NewReminderaboutdirectaccess

Information sharing • Six-monthlyLondonboroughsmeeting• NewGamblingrelatedlegislation• NewGambleawareremotegamblingresearch• NewScottishguidanceonpublicentertainmentlicencesforfunfairs

• NewPublicationofScottishalcohollicencenumbers

Reference materials• PrimaryAuthority(PA)FAQs• ListofPrimaryAuthoritygamblingagreements• Printfriendlyquickguidesandtemplateletters• Licensingauthorityinspectionoutcomelettersandinspectionguidance

• GamblingActstatutorynoticesandforms• Premiseslicenceregister• Findoperatinglicenceholders• Changeoflicensingpersonnel?• JoinourLinkedIngroup

licensing authority bulletinSeptember 2017

Gambling firm 888 to pay over £7.8million for failing vulnerable customers

888,oneofBritain’sbiggestonlinegamblingfirms,istopayarecordpenaltypackageofover£7.8millionasaresultofseriousfailingsinitshandlingofvulnerablecustomers.

Theactionfollowsthediscoveryofsignificantflawsin888UKLimited’s(888)socialresponsibilityprocesses,whichaimtoprotectconsumersfromgambling-relatedharm.Ourinvestigationfound:• Duetoatechnicalfailurein888’ssystems,over7,000customerswhohadchosentoself-excludefromtheircasino/poker/sportplatformwerestillabletoaccesstheiraccountsontheirbingoplatform.Theissuewentundetectedforaprolongedperiodoftime,meaningcustomerswereabletodeposit£3.5millionintotheiraccounts,andthencontinuetogamble,forover13months.While888didhaveself-exclusionproceduresinplace,theywerenotrobustenoughandfailedtoprotectpotentiallyvulnerablecustomers.

• 888alsofailedtorecognisevisiblesignsofproblemgamblingbehaviourdisplayedbyanindividualcustomer,whichwassosignificantthatitresultedincriminalactivity.

News

Coming soon...October special LA bulletinAdvancenoticethatinearlyOctoberwewillbeissuingabulletinfocusingontheannualLAreturnsstatistics.Thebulletinwillalsofeatureanumberofcasestudieswhichdisproveacommon(mis)perceptionthatsomeofficersandcouncillorshaveaboutgambling:ie‘wedon’treceivecomplaintssowedon’thaveanyproblems’.

licensing authority bulletin

Thecustomerstakedover£1.3million,including£55kstolenfromtheiremployer.Duringa13monthperiodthecustomerplacedalargenumberofbets,gamblingonaverage3-4hoursaday.Thelackofinteractionwiththecustomer,giventhefrequency,durationandsumsofmoneyinvolvedinthegambling,raisedseriousconcernsabout888’ssafeguardingofcustomersat-riskofgamblingharm.

Furtherdetailsavailableinourpublicstatement.

More progress needed to tackle problem gambling RecentlypublishedNatCenresearchonbehalfoftheCommissionshowsmoreprogressisneededtotackleproblemgamblinginGreatBritain.ThereportprovidesacomprehensiveanalysisofgamblingacrossallthenationsofGreatBritain-examiningtheratesofparticipation,at-riskgamblingandproblemgambling,andexplorestheassociatedcharacteristicsandbehaviours,combiningdatafromtheHealthSurveyforEngland2015,theScottishHealthSurvey2015andtheWalesOmnibusin2015.Headlinefindings:• 1.4%ofgamblerswereclassedasproblem

gamblers(0.8%ofthepopulation),with6.4%at-risk(3.9%ofthepopulation)–whichissimilartotheratepublishedinthe2012report.

• Problemgamblingwasmoreprevalentamongpeoplewhohadparticipatedinamultiplegamblingactivitiesinthepastyear,thanthosethathadjustparticipatedinone.

• 63%ofadults(aged16andover)inGreatBritainhadgambledinthepastyear.

• Men(66%)aremorelikelytogamblingthanwomen(59%).

• Mostpopulargamblingactivitieswere:NationalLotterydraws(46%),scratchcards(23%)andotherlotteries(15%).

• Overallparticipationwashighestamongthemiddleagegroupsandlowestamongtheyoungestandoldestagegroups.

• Thoseinemploymentortrainingweremorelikelytogamble(69%).Participationbythoseunemployedwasat56%and57%forthoseretired.

Briefing to Scottish ParliamentTobuildonourworkwiththeScottishParliament,werecentlyexhibitedattheParliamentatHolyrood.TheCommissionstandwasvisitedbyovertwentyMembersoftheScottishParliament(MSPs)andtheirstaffoverthe3days,whowerekeentodiscussFOBTsandremotegamblinginparticular,butwhoalsohighlightedarangeofissuesrelatingtogamblingharminbothruralandurbanareas.

AgroupMSPs,includingtheScottishGovernment’sLocalGovernmentMinister,KevinStewartMSP,theConveneroftheParliament’slocalGovernmentCommittee,BobDorisMSP,andStuartMcMillanMSPwhohasraisedarangeofgamblingrelatedissuesatHolyrood,alsoreceivedabriefingfromExecutiveDirectorTimMiller,TheCommissionhopestofollow-upontheinitiativewithfurthercontactwiththeScottishParliamentearlynextyear.

Reception in the Welsh Assembly TogetherwiththeDirectorsofPublicProtectionWaleswerecentlyhostedareceptionattheWelshAssemblyaimedatbuildingpartnershipstoreducegambling-relatedharm.

TheeventcomesonthebackofdatarecentlypublishedbytheCommissionthatshowedthereareapproximately27,000problemgamblersinWalesandafurther95,000atriskgamblers.

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TheMinisterforSocialServicesandPublicHealthRebeccaEvansAM,ChairofPublicProtectionWalesMarkElliottandSarahHarrison(ontheleftinthepicture)spokeattheevent,whichwasattendedbyPublicHealthWales,theChiefMedicalOfficerforWales,CitizensAdvice,policeandLAs.

MsHarrisonsaid:“Thereareover120,000peopleinWaleswhoareproblemgamblersoratriskofdevelopingaproblem.Theharmsthatcanarisefromgamblingcanbeevenmorewidereaching-affectingfamilies,businessesandcommunities.

“ByworkinginclosepartnershipwiththeWelshAssembly,localcouncils,andadvicebodiesweareseekingtotacklegambling-relatedharmandmakegamblingfairerandsaferforpeopleinWales.”

Responsible Gambling WeekAnational,cross-industryinitiativetopromoteresponsiblegambling,runningfrom12–18October2017.Duringtheweek,allsectorsofthegamblingindustry(arcades,bingoclubs,bookmakers,casinosandonline),inpartnershipwithspecialistcharitiesGambleAwareandGamCare,willcometogetherforthisunifiedcause.

Thecampaign’saimistoraiseawarenessamongstcustomersandthewiderpublicabouthowtogambleresponsibly,thetoolsthatareavailabletokeepgamblingsafeandfun,andwhereanyonecanfindhelpandsupportforthosewhoneedit.

Tospreadthemessageofresponsiblegamblingasfarandwideaspossible,theUKgamblingindustrywillbeleadingonarangeofactivitiesthroughtheweek:• Posters,leaflets,bannersandotherinformationpointsaboutRGWeekarebeingrolledoutacrossthecountryingamblingvenues,onindustrywebsitesandonsocialmediachannels,encouragingconversationsaboutgamblingresponsibly

• TheindustryisworkingwithGamCareanditspartnerstoestablishdedicatedinformationpointsaroundtheUKthatwillbeavailabletothegeneralpublicthroughouttheweek

• Staffatgamblingvenuesandonlinesiteswillcontinuetobepointsofcontactfortheircustomersonhowtogambleresponsibly

• OurpartnersGambleAwareandGamCarewillalsoberaisingawarenessaboutresponsiblegamblingthroughtheirwebsitesandcommunicationchannels

• OnlinechatroomsandinteractiveQ&AsessionsonsocialmediathroughdedicatedTwitterandFacebookaccountswillhelptoengagediscussionsaboutresponsiblegamblingmorebroadly

• AneventwillbeheldinParliamenttohelpbriefpoliticiansonwhatitmeanstogambleresponsiblyandwhattheycandotosharethemessagewiththeirconstituents.

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TheIndustryGroupforResponsibleGambling(IGRG)whichisrunningRGWeekisaskinglocalauthoritiestoparticipatetohelpspreadthemessagemorewidely.Togetinvolved,localauthoritiescanshareRGWeekmessagingandcollateralintheleaduptoandduringtheweek.Forexample,participatinglocalauthoritiescan:• Sharekeymessagingthroughtheirownmediachannelssuchasnewsletters,websitesandpressreleases;

• UsesocialmediachannelstosupportRGWeekbyfollowingandliking@RGWeek2017onTwitterandFacebookandbysharingorre-sharingcampaignmessagesduringtheweek;

• Sharethemessagingdigitally,viaforexamplemediascreensincounciloffices,librariesandcommunitycentres;

• PrintandplaceRGWeekcollateral(posters,leafletsandbanners)intheirvenue(s)throughouttheweek.

RGWeekcollateral(bothdigitalandforprinting)andmessagingisreadilyavailableandfreetouse,pleaseemailresponsiblegamblingweek@plmr.co.uktorequestit.Formoreinformation,pleasevisittheRGWeekwebsite,followonTwitterorlikeonFacebook.

GambleAware hosts Scottish Parliament eventInSeptemberGambleAware,hostedaneventintheScottishParliamenttoraiseawarenessofitsworkinScotlandandtohighlightgambling-relatedproblems.TheeventalsoaimedtoprovidepracticalguidanceandtrainingformembersoftheScottishParliament(MSP)andtheirstaffonhowtodealwithconstituentswhoaresufferingfrom,orshowingsignsof,gamblingrelatedproblems.

Guestsandattendeesheardfirst-handfromarecoveringgamblingaddictabouttheproblemstheyexperiencedwhichweredirectlylinkedtotheirgamblingaddictionbutmasqueradedasothercommonproblems.AttendeeswerethengivenpracticaltipsfromlocalGambleAwarefundedorganisationFastForwardonhowtopreventproblemgamblingthrougheducationaswellasguidancefromthelocaltreatmentcentreonhowtodealwithpeoplewhoaresufferingfromgamblingaddiction.

GambleAwarealsopresentedonwhyitwasimportanttoraiseawarenessofgamblingrelatedproblems,tohelpidentifyproblemgamblersaswellasgivingsomesuggestionsofhowattendeescanhelpraisetheprofileofthisproblemthroughparliamentaryquestionsandsocialmediapresence.

Commission raises awareness of potential risks for students who gambleWe’vepublishedsometipsforstudentsabouthowtoavoidriskygamblingandthesupportthatisavailableshouldtheyfeeltheirgamblingisbecomingaproblem.Thiscomesfollowingnewfiguresindicating2in3studentsgambleaccordingtoournewfigures.Whilstmanymaydosowithoutexperiencingharm,forsome,gamblingcanleadtodebt,timeawayfromlecturesandpotentiallyleadtoalongertermproblemwithgambling.

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Lancashire Police and Commission operation jails gaming machine coin thiefAmanhasbeenjailedfor20monthsfollowingajointoperationbetweenLancashirePoliceandtheCommission.Themanusedanarrayoftoolsandequipmenttostealmorethan£14,000frompubsandclubsacrossthecountry.AjointinvestigationwithLancashirePolice,usingsourcesofevidence,suchascompellingCCTVfootagewhichidentifiedtheoffender,ledtothemanbeingcapturedandjailed.

HelenVenn,Commissionprogrammedirectorforcompliancesaid:“Hereisanotherexcellentexampleofhowmulti-agencypartnershipscandeliverresults,andhelpkeepcrimeoutofgambling.

“Theteamworkingonthisjointoperationworkedquicklyandeffectively,usingtheevidenceandintelligenceavailabletothemtoidentifytheoffenders,andreducetheimpactthishadonboththegamingmachinesuppliers,thealcohollicensedpremisesandpublic.”

LAsandpoliceareencouragedtosendcasestudiesforinclusioninfuturebulletins.Pleasesupplydetailstoinfo@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

Third machine e-learning module launched

WehavebeenworkingwiththeInstituteofLicensing(IOL)toproduceaseriesofe-learningmodulesongamingmachinesandhavenowproducedthethirdandfinalmoduleinthisseries.

ThemodulesaredesignedtohelpLAsimprovetheirunderstandingofgamingmachinesandhowtheyareregulated.

Module1covers:•TheroleofLAsintheregulationofgambling•Whatisagamingmachine•Thevarioustypesofgamingmachines

Module2covers:•Thephysicalcomponentsofagamingmachine•Howgamingmachineswork•Thesignagedisplayedongamingmachines

Newmodule3covers:•Compliantmachinesininappropriateplaces(illegalsiting)•Examplesoftypesofnon-compliantmachines•Howtotakeregulatoryaction.

Thesemodulescanbeaccessedbyanybody.YoucanaccessthesemodulesviatheIOLwebsite,andtheyareCPDaccredited(basedona30minuteaverage).Onceonthewebsitesimplyclickonthee-learningtabonthetopright,thenloginifyouhaveanexistingaccount,orrequestaloginviamembership@instituteoflicensing.orgtogetstarted.

Pleasenote,thatthegamingmachinessectorisadiverseandcomplexoneandthistrainingisonlydesignedtogiveabasicintroduction,forhelpwithcomplexissuesseekspecialistadvice.

Weareconsideringtopicsforfuturee-learningmodulesforlicensingauthoritiesandpolice,pleasesubmitsuggestionstoinfo@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

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Advice and guidance

Case studies

licensing authority bulletin

Bongo BingoWehavegrantedanon-remotebingooperatinglicencetoSHUALtd,morecommonlyknownasBongoBingo,allowingthemtoprovidefacilitiesforhighturnoverbingo(ietheaggregatestakesorprizesforbingoinanysevendayperiodmayexceed£2,000).ThecompanytypicallyprovidesequalchancegamingatpubsandnightclubsthroughoutBritain,inrelianceonthealcohollicenceheldbythepremises,andthereforedoessoundertherulesforexemptgaming.

LAsshouldbeawarethatoneoftheconditionsofthisoperator’slicenceisthattheymustnotifyboththeCommissionandtherelevantLAat least 28 daysbeforeanyeventtakesplaceinnewpremises,byprovidingadescriptionoftheeventtakingplace,acopyofthepremisescontractandanyamendmenttotherulestothebingo.

LAsareremindedofinformationintheMayLABulletinaboutparticipationfeesforbingoplayedasequalchancegaminginpubsandotheralcohol-licensedpremises.LAswithconcernsaboutalcohollicensedpremisesplayingbingowithstakesandprizesexceedingthe£2,000weeklylimitorwherethereisapossiblefeetoplay,shouldcontacttheircompliancemanagerinthefirstinstance.

Lottery ticket vending machinesLotteryticketvendingmachinesshouldnotbeconfusedwithB3AgamingmachinesthatofferlotterystylegamesbutareclassedasgamingmachinesandsubjecttoseparateandspecificrequirementsundertheAct.FurthertotheJunebulletinitem,aboutwheresuchmachinescanbelocated,wehavenowaddedtotheinformationonourwebsiteaboutthesemachinesincludingdetailsofhowandwheretheycanlawfullysited,andtherequirementstodoso.

House rafflesFollowingarecentfeatureontheBBC’sOneShow,LAsareremindedabouttheriseinthenumberofhomeownersofferingtheirhouseasaprize,eitherthroughpeoplebuyingaticketinadraw,orbypayingtoenteracompetition.Ourconcernisthatweareseeinginstanceswhereorganisersarebreakingthelawastheirschemehasbeensetupinawaythatmeansitisanillegallottery.

Raffles,orlotteriesastheyarecalledingamblinglaw,arewhereyoupaytoenterandtheresultispurelybasedonchance-likeatombolaordraw-andthereisaprize.Undergamblinglawlotteriesareaformofgamblingandtherearerulesabouthowtheycanberunandwhocanrunthem.Thepersonconcernedmayneedalicencefromusoraregistrationwiththeirlocalauthoritybeforetheycanpromotealottery.

Othersmalllotteries,suchasthosepromotedatfundraisingeventscanoperatewithoutspecificpermissionbuttheyarestillsubjecttosomebasicrules.

Mostimportantly,lotteriescanonlyberunforgoodcauses–suchascharities,hospices,air-ambulanceservicesorothernot-for-profitcauses,theycannotberunforprivateorcommercialgain.Charitiesandothernon-commercialorganisationswhorunlotteriesrelyheavilyontheincometheyreceivefromlotteriestosupporttheimportantworktheydo.

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Lastyearalonesawsocietylotterieslicensedbyusraise£230millionforgoodcauses–anditisimportantthatthisareaofgamblingispreservedforthosegoodcausesratherthanbeingusedunlawfullyforprivateorcommercialgain.

Mostoftherecenthouseraffleschemesweareawareofhavebeenoperatedasfreedrawsorprizewhicharenotlegallycaughtasgamblingwhichwedonotregulatenorprovideadviceonhowtheyshouldbeorganised.However,theseschemescanlooksimilartolotteriesandsowehaveproducedguidanceonfreedrawsandprizecompetitions,whichprovidesometipsonthedifferencebetweenlotteries,competitionsandfreedraws.

Wecontinuetomonitortheboundarybetweenlot-teries,competitionsandfreedrawstomakesurethatpeoplewhoorganiselotteriesoperatelawfully,andifnecessary,areproperlylicensed.Weknowmanypeoplerunningthesekindofschemeswillwanttobecreativetogivetheirprizecompetitionorfreedrawsomeappeal,buttheymustfollowtherules.

LAswithconcernsabouthouserafflesintheirareashouldcontacttheirlocalcompliancemanager.

Reminder about direct access

Duringsomerecentjointvisits,wehavebecomeawareofanumberofbreachesofthemandatoryanddefaultpremiseslicenceconditionsinrelationtodirectaccessbetweengamblingpremises.Examplesinclude:•Afamilyentertainmentcentre(FEC)andadjoiningadultgamingcentre(AGC)bothwiththeirownentrancesfromthestreetbutwithdirectaccessbetweenthetwointernally.

•SeveralpremiseswheretherewasjustanareaofcarpetseparatingtheFECandAGCs(insomeinstancesthecarpetwasallthesamecolour)

•Anarcadewithdirectaccessbetweenthe3AGCsandalsointotheuFEC.

FollowingdiscussionsbetweentheLA,usandtheoperator,theseissuesarenowbeingrectifiedtoachievecompliancewiththeconditions.

LAsareremindedoftheaccessrequirementsinrelationtopremises.IntheAct,‘premises’isdefinedasincluding‘anyplace’.S152thereforepreventsmorethanonepremiseslicenceapplyingtoanyplace.But,thereisnoreasoninprinciplewhyasinglebuildingcouldnotbesubjecttomorethanonepremiseslicence,providedtheyarefordifferentpartsofthebuilding,andthedifferentpartsofthebuildingcanreasonablyberegardedasbeingdifferentpremises.

Thisapproachhasbeentakentoallowlarge,multipleunitpremisessuchaspleasureparks,tracks,orshoppingmallstoobtaindiscretepremiseslicences,whereappropriatesafeguardsareinplace.However,LAsshouldpayparticularattentionifthereareissuesaboutsub-divisionofasinglebuildingorplotandshouldensurethatmandatoryconditionsrelatingtoaccessbetweenpremisesareobserved.

TheGamblingAct2005(MandatoryandDefaultConditions)Regulations(SI2007/1409forEnglandandWalesandSSI2007/266forScotland)setouttheaccessprovisionsforeachtypeofpremises.Thebroadprincipleisthatthere can be no access from one licensed gambling premises to another,exceptbetweenpremiseswhichallowaccesstothoseundertheageof18andwiththefurtherexceptionthatlicensedbettingpremisesmaybeaccessedfromotherlicensedbettingpremises.Under-18scangointoFECs,tracks,pubsandsomebingoclubs,soaccessisallowedbetweenthesetypesofpremises.

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TheseRegulationsdefinestreetas‘includinganybridge,road,lane,footway,subway,square,court,alleyorpassage(includingpassagesthroughenclosedpremisessuchasshoppingmalls)whetherathoroughfareornot’.Thisistoallowaccessthroughareaswhichthepublicmightenterforpurposesotherthangambling,forexample,accesstocasinosfromhotelfoyers.

Thereisnodefinitionof‘directaccess’intheActorregulations,butLAsmayconsiderthatthereshouldbeanareaseparatingthepremisesconcerned,forexampleastreetorcafe,whichthepublicgotoforpurposesotherthangambling,fortheretobenodirectaccess.

Therelevantaccessprovisionsforeachpremisestypeisasfollows:

Type of premises Access provisionsCasinos •theprincipalentrancetothe

premisesmustbefroma‘street’•noentrancetoacasinomustbefrompremisesthatareusedwhollyormainlybychildrenand/oryoungpersons•nocustomermustbeabletoenteracasinodirectlyfromanyotherpremiseswhichholdsagamblingpremiseslicence.

AGCs •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromanyotherlicensedgamblingpremises.

Bettingshops •accessmustbefroma‘street’orfromotherpremiseswithabettingpremiseslicence•nodirectaccessfromabettingshoptoanotherpremisesusedfortheretailsaleofmerchandiseorservices.Ineffecttherecannotbeanentrancetoabettingshopfromashopofanykindunlessthatshopisitselfalicensedbettingpremises.

Tracks •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromacasinoorAGC

Bingopremises •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromacasino,anAGCorabettingpremises,otherthanatrack

FECs •nocustomermustbeabletoaccessthepremisesdirectlyfromacasino,anAGCorabettingpremises,otherthanatrack

Section7oftheGuidancetoLicensingAuthoritiescontainsdetailedinformationaboutthepremiseslicenceregulationsandwehaveaquickguideonmulti-activitysites.IfLAshaveconcernsaboutanynewapplicationsofthissort,oraboutarrangementsthatarealreadyinplace,pleasecontactyourcompliancemanagerinthefirstinstance.

Six-monthly London boroughs meeting WeareholdingoursecondmeetingoftheyearforlicensingofficersfromLondonBoroughsonThursday5October2017inCamdentownhall.UpdateswillbeprovidedontopicsincludingStatementofPoliciesandGambleaware.Londonlicensingauthoritiesshouldcontactinfo@gamblingcommission.gov.ukifyouhaven’talreadyreceivedyourinvitation.

Gambling related legislationAlistofgamblingrelatedlegislationisavailableonourwebsitealthoughyoushouldverifyforyourselfwhetherlegislationisinforceorwhetherithasbeenamendedorrepealedbysubsequentlegislation.

Gambleaware remote gambling research RecentlypublishedresearchcommissionedbyGambleawarehasshownthatonlinegamblingoperatorscanusethedatatheyholdoncustomerplaytospotthosewithgamblingproblemsoratriskofdevelopingproblems.

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Information sharing

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Over10,000customersgavepermissionfortheirdatatobeused.

Inthedataongamblers’play,theresearchfoundindicatorsthat,whenconsideredcollectively,arestrongsignsofpotentiallyproblematicgambling.Theyinclude:●Averagenumberofbetsperday–non-problemgamblerstypicallybetbetween2-7timesaday,whereasproblemgamblerstypicallybetbetween5-90timesaday.

●Higheraveragevalueofbetplaced–non-problemgamblerstypicallybetjust£14onadaywhentheybet,whereasproblemgamblersbetonaverage£98.

●Timeofdayandweek–problemgamblersinthestudyweremorelikelytoplacebetsbetweenmidnightand4am,andtogamblethroughouttheweek,ratherthanmainlyonaSaturday,whennon-problemgamblersdomostoftheirgambling.

●Deposits–problemgamblersmakemoredeposits,evenaftertakingintoaccountthattheygamblemore.Theoccurrenceofafaileddepositwasalsoariskindicator.

●Volatility–problemgamblersinthestudyexperiencedhighvariationintheamountwonandtheamountlost,andextremelosses.

Scottish guidance on public entertainment licences for funfairsInJulytheScottishGovernmentpublishedCivicGovernment(Scotland)Act1982Guidanceonpublicentertainmentlicencesrelatingtofunfairs.TheguidancerelatestotheroleofScottishLAsinconsideringandgrantingapplicationsforfunfairs.ScottishLAsareremindedofourquickguidewhichsetsoutthemachineentitlementspermittedatfairsandfairgrounds.

Publication of Scottish alcohol licence numbersTheliquorlicensingstatisticsScotland2016-17wererecentlypublished,providingdataonpremisesandpersonallicencesinforce,applicationsandreviews,aswellasnumbersoflicensingstandardsofficers(LSOs)employedandthenumberofoccasionallicencesissued.

Thestatisticsindicated:•Theoverallnumberofpremiseslicencesinforceon31March2017,atjustunder16,700,hasshownaveryslightupwardtrendoverthelastsevenyears,increasingby2percentsinceMarch2011.Around70%oflicencesrelatedtoonsalesonly.UndertheGamblingAct2005premisesholdingalcoholpremiseslicenceshaveanautomaticentitlementtooperatecertaintypesandnumbersofgamingmachines.•Scottishlocalauthoritiesemployedafull-timeequivalentof57LSOsatMarch2017,thesameasin2016.TheCityofEdinburghemployedthelargestnumberofLSOswithafulltimeequivalentofseven,withAberdeenshire,FifeandGlasgoweachemployingfour.

Gambling training modules for LAsWehaveanumberofrefreshermodulesforlicensingofficerswhichcompliancemanagerscandeliverattheseatregional/IOLlicensingmeetings.Modulesavailableare:•Moneylaundering-new• Illegalbettinginpubs•Pokerinpubs•Smallsocietylotteries•Clubgamingandclubmachinepermits• TestpurchasinginEnglandandWales•Gamingmachines•Bettingattracks•Moneylaundering(forpolice/LAs)•Policepowersonconductinggamblingpremisesinspections(ingamblingpremisesandalcohollicensedpremisesinEnglandandWales)

•Permitrenewals.

Ifyouareinterestedinreceivingsuchtraining,pleasecontactyourcompliancemanager.

List of Primary Authority gambling agreements GamblingPrimaryAuthorities(PA)agreementssignedtodate.LAsareremindedthatthereisno restrictiononanyLAswishingtoundertakeproactivetestpurchasingactivitywherethePAhasnotdevelopedaNationalInspectionStrategy.PleasecontactthePAdirectlyifyouwishtoparticipateintheNIStesting.

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licensing authority bulletin

MiltonKeynes-Ladbrokes/Coralsfrom2October(withNationalInspectionStrategy)MiltonKeynes-WelcomeBreakfrom2OctoberReading-PaddyPower(withNationalInspectionStrategy)Reading-BACTAReading-ABBWestminster-WilliamHill

LAsshouldcheckthePrimaryAuthorityregistertoseewhichtradeassociationmembershavesigneduptotheBACTAandABBagreements(youneedtosearchforReadingorforthenameoftheoperatoritself).

AsetoffrequentlyaskedquestionsisavailableonthePAregister(loginthensearchofforaPAgamblingpartnership–listedabove–andthengototheadvice/informationsectionoftheregister).

TheyexplainthebackgroundtoPAgamblingagreementsandthedifferencebetweenPAadviceandNIS.TheFAQssetouthowoperatorsusethirdpartyageverificationtesting,howthetestsareconductedandwhathavingaPArelationshipmeans.Print friendly quick guides and templates LAsareremindedthatwehaveanumberofquickguides.Somearedesignedtogivetooperatorswhenundertakingvisits,othersprovideanaccessiblehowtoforlicensingstaff.Forprintfriendlyversions:justclickontheprintfriendlyinstructiononthefrontofeachquickguideandmakesureyourprinterissettoprintonbothsidesofthepaper:•Moneylaundering•Gamingmachinesinpubs•Racenight,casinonightorpokernight•Members’cluborcommercialclub•Pokerinclubs•Pokerinpubs• Facilitatingbettinginpubsandclubsisillegal•Skillswithprizes• Illegalgamingmachines•ComparinglotteryticketdispensersandB3Amachines

• Illegalsitingofgamingmachines• Fairsandfairgrounds•Runningalottery•Runningprizecompetitionsandfreedraws•Multi-activitysites•PolicestatutorypowersundertheGamblingAct

Examplesofnon-complexcategoryDgamingmachinesandinformationabouthowtheyshouldbecorrectlylabelledascategoryDnon-complexcranegrabmachinesisalsoavailableinthissectionofthewebsite.

Examplelettertemplatesarealsoavailable,whichLAsmaywishtousewhendealingwithissuessuchasillegalmachinesinpubs,andillegalpokerorbettinginpubsandthirdpartiesrunningpokerinclubs.

WealsohavecompiledalistofsampleconditionsthatLAhaveattachedtopremiseslicences.Theseareprovidedforillustrativepurposesonly.Theyprovideexamplesofsortsofconditionsalicensingauthoritymaywishtothinkaboutwhenaddressingsimilarevidencedbasedconcernswithinalocalarea.

Licensing authority inspection outcome letters and inspection guidance In2013,weworkedtogetherwiththeLeicester,LeicestershireandRutlandLicensingForumandtheLeicesterandLeicestershireEnterprisePartnership(LLEP)tocreatetemplatesforassessmentsatgamblingpremises.ThetemplatesincludedreferencetothesocialresponsibilitycodeprovisionsissuedbytheCommissionunders153oftheAct.WealsojointlycreatedasuiteofletterstoassistLAsincommunicatingtheassessmentoutcometooperators.

ThesedocumentswerelastupdatedinOctober2016andnowincludeasimpleriskratingsystemforLAstouseaspartoftheirinspectionplanningifrequired.Atthesametime,2newassessmenttemplateswereadded–amachinemonitoringchecklistandacrimeandantimoneylaunderingchecklist.YoucanfindtheassessmenttemplatestheLLEPwebsite.

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Gambling Act statutory notices and forms

LAsareadvisedthatDCMShasaskedtheCommissiontohostallthestatutorynoticesandapplicationformsontheCommission’swebsiteastheyarenolongeravailableontheDCMSwebsite.

Using the right formsItisastatutoryrequirementthatapplicantsusethecorrectformstogivepropernoticeofapplications,variationsetctoallresponsibleauthorities,includingtheCommission(part3,s12and13oftheGamblingAct2005(PremisesLicencesandProvisionalStatements)Regulations2007).

LAsalsohavestatutorydutiestonotifytheCommissionaswellastheapplicantandotherresponsibleauthoritiesofthegrant/rejectionofapplications(new,variations,transfersetc)aswellastherevocation,surrenderorlapseofapremiseslicenceusingthecorrectstatutoryforms.

Havingallthestatutoryforms(bothinEnglishandinWelsh)inoneplaceshouldhelpyoutocomplywiththosestatutoryprocesses.

InadditionweareawarethatthegamblingpagesonmanyLAwebsitessignpostapplicantstotheDCMSwebsiteformoreinformation.Asyouwillknowtheseparategovernmentdepartmentsnowallusethewww.gov.ukwebsiteandmuchofthehistoricgamblingmaterialisnolongeravailable.LAsmaywishtoreviewandupdatetheirwebsites,signpostingtotheCommission’swebsitewhereappropriate.

Premises licence register LAsareremindedthattheinformationonthepubliclyavailablepremisesregisterisbasedonthestatutorynotificationsreceivedfromLAsregardinggrants,variations,revocations,lapsesetc,andisupdatedmonthly.LAsareencouragedtouseemailtosubmitdetailsofgrants,transfers,notices,revocations,permitssendingallnecessarycorrespondencetoinfo@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

Inrelationtogamingmachines,pleaseonlysharenoticesofgrant/rejectionofClubMachinesPermitsandGamingMachinePermits,asthereisnorequirementtoadviseuswhenanalcohollicenceholdersubmitstheirnotificationforanautomaticentitlementtotwogamingmachines.HoweverLAsmustkeeparecordofhowmanyautomaticentitlementnotificationsitreceiveseachyear,asthatinformationisrequestedintheannualLAreturns.

Find operating licence holdersOurpublicregistercontainsnamesofallcompaniesandindividualswhohold,orhaveappliedfor,operatinglicencesinGreatBritainalongwiththenamesofcompaniesorindividualswhoselicenceshavelapsed,beenrevoked,forfeited,expired,suspendedorsurrenderedinthelast6months.

LAsareremindedtochecktheoperatorlicencequotedonpremisesapplicationswiththeregisterbeforegrantingapremiseslicence.

Anapplicationforpremiseslicencemayonlybemadebypersonswhohaveanoperatinglicencewhichallowsthemtocarryouttheproposedactivity,forexample,abingooperatinglicenceforabingopremises,orhaveappliedforanoperatinglicence(althoughthepremiseslicencecannotbedetermineduntilanoperatinglicencehasbeenissued).

Change of licensing personnel?Wetrytoensureourcontactrecordsareup-to-date,butpleasehelpusoutbylettingusknowwhenthereareanychangesofgamblingcontactsinyourLAsothatourcommunicationsreachthecorrectperson.

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Join our LinkedIn group OurlicensingofficersandLAsgroupisaimedathelpinglicensingofficersunderstandthekeyroleLAsplayingamblingregulationinGreatBritain.

YoucansharegoodpracticeandfindouthowLAshaveanumberofregulatoryfunctionsincludingissuingpremiseslicences,regulatinggamingandgamingmachinesinclubsandpubs,inspectionandenforcementoflicencesandlotsmore.

YoucanalsofollowtheLinkedInGamblingCommissioncompanypage.

Keeping gambling fair and safe for allwww.gamblingcommission.gov.uk