The Gambling Act 2005, which came into force on 1 September 2007, replaced most of the existing laws about gambling in Great Britain and aimed to put in place an improved, more comprehensive structure of gambling regulation. Its three objectives are:
- 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 Gambling Commission has also been established as the new, independent national regulator for commercial gambling and it has a key role to play in implementation of the Act. Not only has it issued guidance for local authorities, but it also issues certain licences, eg, operating and personal licences.
Local authorities issue premises licences for bingo, betting, adult gaming centres, family entertainment centres, casinos and horse racing and dog tracks as well as issue permits for prize gaming, gaming machines in alcohol licensed premises, members clubs and unlicensed family entertainment centres. We register small society lotteries and process occasional and temporary use notices and provisional statements.
Licensing Policy
The Council is required to produce a licensing policy in relation to the exercise of its various functions under the Act. A single draft policy was prepared by co-operation with officers in each of the other councils in Cumbria and this was approved by the Council at its meeting on 14 December 2006. Consultation on a revised policy took place between 7 August and 30 October 2009 and this was approved by the Council at its meeting on 26 November 2009.
Read Notice of Publication of the Policy (PDF: 46Kb / 1 page) alternatively
Read Notice of Publication of the Policy (Word Document: 54Kb / 1 page)
Read Gambling Act 2005 Licensing Policy (PDF: 599Kb / 40 pages) alternatively
Read Gambling Act 2005 Licensing Policy (Word Document: 406Kb / 40 pages)
The full text of the Gambling Act 2005 as originally enacted can now be found on the legislation.gov.uk website. Further information about the Act is available from both the Gambling Commission and Department for Culture Media and Sport websites.
Application Forms and Fees
Application forms can be downloaded in Word and PDF format.
Details of fees are available on the Licensing Fees page on our website.
Licensing Register
The Council is required by law to maintain a register containing details of various licences issued. This register can be viewed online or can be viewed at the Town Hall, Penrith during normal office hours. If you notice any apparent error or omission in the register, or if you have any query about it, please contact a member of the Licensing Team.
Online Register
For further information
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Contact: Licensing Team, Town Hall, Penrith, CA11 7QF
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Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 5.15pm
Friday 8.45am to 4.45pm
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Email: admin.licensing@eden.gov.uk
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Telephone: 01768 212148 or 01768 212273
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Fax: 01768 890470
