Overview

This bill amends the Gambling Act 2005, giving licensing authorities in England and Wales the power to limit the number of Category B2 gaming machines (those with a maximum stake of over £10) in betting shops. The aim is to allow local authorities more control over the density of these machines to mitigate potential negative impacts.

Description

The bill adds a new section (172A) to the Gambling Act 2005. This section empowers licensing authorities to:

• Completely ban Category B2 gaming machines (maximum stake over £10) from a betting premises.
• Limit the number of Category B2 gaming machines allowed in a betting shop to a figure set by the licensing authority. This number must be lower than the current limit set by section 172(8) of the 2005 Act.

When making these decisions, licensing authorities must consider the impact on the local area and the promotion of licensing objectives.

For Scotland, the power to add, remove or amend conditions related to these machines is limited to licenses issued before May 23rd, 2016.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to directly impact government spending. The cost of administering the changes will fall to local authorities.

Groups Affected

• Local Authorities: Gain increased powers to regulate the number of Category B2 gaming machines in their area, potentially influencing local problem gambling rates.
• Betting Shop Owners: May face restrictions on the number of machines they can operate, potentially affecting profitability.
• Gamblers: May find access to Category B2 gaming machines more restricted depending on their location.

Powered by nyModel