Gambling licensing

From 1st September 2007 the Gambling Act 2005 replaced the previous regime for the regulation of gambling. Before this date, gambling had been regulated by the following legislation:

• The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963
• The Gaming Act 1968
• The Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976

In exercising most of its functions in relation to premises licences, temporary use notices and some permits under the 2005 Act, the city council must have regard to the licensing objectives set out in section 1 of the Act.

The licensing 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.

Set out below is a summary of the main subject areas for which the city council is licensing authority under the Gambling Act 2005. Please note that the Act requires anyone applying for a premises licence to hold a Gambling Operator’s licence from the Gambling Commission for that activity. Please see the related links section below for information about this from the Gambling Commission.

Reviews

Information about the process for reviews of gambling premises licences and any pending reviews appears on the reviews page - see the link to the left.

Fees under the Gambling Act 2005

The City Council's Licensing Committee first set the fees for applications under the Gambling Act 2005 at its meeting in 19th April 2007 and has subsequently reviewed them - a summary is available below.

Gambling Act 2005 - Statement of Principles

The Gambling Act 2005 requires the city council to prepare and publish a "Statement of Principles", every three years from 31st January 2007. A revised statement for the period 1st January 2013 to 1st January 2016 was approved by full council on 14th November 2012, published on 15th November 2012 and is available via the Gambling Statement of Principles link to the left.

Proposed Large Casino

The Government has confirmed the city council's power to grant a new large casino licence in Southampton. Information about this is contained on the Large Casino page.

If you need to contact us by email, 'phone or post, please do so using the details below.

Opening hours

Members of the Licensing Team are normally available on weekdays at the Civic Centre from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 16:00 to assist personal callers. We may be available at other times by prior appointment.