Gambling Act 2005
The Gambling Act 2005 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacted under the Labour government of Tony Blair. It mainly applies to England and Wales, and to Scotland, and is designed to control all forms of gambling. It transfers authority for licensing gambling from the magistrates' courts to local authorities, or to Scottish licensing boards. The Act also created the Gambling Commission.
Provisions
The act gives its objectives asSome provisions of the bill faced controversy, particularly in its original form, where it would have allowed eight so-called "super casinos" to be set up. With the parliamentary session drawing to a close, a compromise was agreed to reduce this to one. Despite a lengthy bidding process, with Manchester being chosen as the single planned location, the development was cancelled soon after Gordon Brown became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The act also specifically regulates Internet gambling for the first time.
One of the biggest changes was the removal of the "debt of honour" exemption which stopped people from taking legal action over unpaid winnings. Under the 2005 act's section 335 "Enforceability of gambling contracts", punters were now able to take legal action over unpaid winnings in a court of law.
The law permits gambling companies to advertise on television and radio.
The act is wide-ranging including regulation of lotteries. The "no purchase necessary" clause on on-product promotions and semi-legal competitions went, replaced with the so-called "New Zealand Model" where purchase may be a requirement, if the purchase is at the "normal selling price".
The act, together with regulations and specifications developed by the Gambling Commission, define and in some cases redefine, categories of gaming machines and where they are allowed to be placed.