A new regime for Britain’s gambling operators starts this month (January), as the Gambling Commission opens its doors for licence applications. Anyone who wants to run a gambling business from next September must apply for a licence.

The Commission will be responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling in Britain including, for the first time, betting and remote gambling. There are three categories of licence - operating, personal and premises - and businesses may need all three. The Commission will issue operating and personal licences, while local authorities will be responsible for issuing premises licences.

“If you provide facilities for gambling in Britain you will have to be licensed by the Commission, it is as simple as that,” said Hazel Canter, the Commission’s Director of Licensing and Compliance.

“The application forms and guidance notes are comprehensive. We accept that they are complex forms but the Commission will help and support operators in the early stages to get it right, particularly those sectors new to being regulated by us.

“In particular, we recognise that small bookmakers and other smaller operators may find the new system difficult to manage and we are here to guide them through it, with information also available on our website at any time.

“Operators can make their applications from 2 January 2007 in writing or can download a copy from our website.“

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