The Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025
The 2025 regulations amended the 2007 Gambling Act regulations to require updated plans for converted casino premises licences in England and Wales, incorporating details on table gaming areas.
These regulations amend the Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) Regulations 2007 to require updated premises plans for converted casino licences in England and Wales.
The amendments mandate that plans for licence variations include details about table gaming areas, ensuring compliance with conditions set by the 2025 Order, which introduces new gambling entitlements for converted casinos.
The changes aim to provide clearer instructions for applications and improve regulatory oversight of casinos' operations.
Arguments For
Improved clarity and compliance: The amendments clarify the requirements for casino premises licence applications and ensure that plans accurately reflect the use of space, promoting better adherence to regulations.
Facilitating new gambling activities: The changes accommodate the introduction of new gambling entitlements under the 2025 Order, allowing casinos to offer table gaming and expanding their operational capabilities. The 2025 Order is cited and referenced within the explanatory note.
Enhanced regulatory oversight: By requiring updated plans showing table gaming areas, licensing authorities gain improved oversight and ability to monitor compliance with the conditions of the converted casino premises licences.
Legal basis: The regulations are made under powers conferred by sections 151(2), 159(6), (7) and (8)(a), 187(3) and (4) and 355(1) of the Gambling Act 2005, providing a solid legal foundation for the amendments.
Arguments Against
Potential administrative burden: The amendments may impose an additional administrative burden on casino operators who need to update their plans and applications to reflect the new requirements regarding table gaming areas.
Implementation challenges: There might be challenges in implementing the changes swiftly and effectively, particularly for operators with existing premises licences, requiring time and resources to adapt to the new regulations.
Unintended consequences: While intended to improve clarity, the amendments may inadvertently create complexities or ambiguities in certain circumstances, necessitating further clarification or adjustments.
Cost implications: Updating plans and applications creates costs for casino operators that could be passed on either to customers or lead to a reduction in profitability.
Citation, commencement, extent, application and interpretation 1.
(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025 and come into force on 22nd July 2025.
(2) These Regulations—
(a) extend to England and Wales and Scotland, and
(b) apply only to—
(i) applications under Part 8 of the Gambling Act 2005 made to licensing authorities in England and Wales, and
(ii) premises licences issued by licensing authorities in England and Wales.
(3) In these Regulations, “the 2007 Regulations” means the Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) Regulations 20072.
Section 1 details the citation, effective date, geographical reach, and application of the regulations.
It clarifies that these changes apply to applications and licences related to the Gambling Act 2005 within England and Wales, with some extension to Scotland.
It also defines 'the 2007 Regulations' for the purpose of this document.
Amendments to the Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) Regulations 2007 2.
(1) Regulation 7 (form and content of applications to vary a premises licence) of the 2007 Regulations is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (2), for “accompanied by a scale plan which complies with paragraph (3)” substitute—“accompanied—
(a) by a scale plan which complies with paragraph (3); or
(b) where the application relates to a converted casino premises licence and would (if granted) enable the holder of that licence to make gaming machines available for use on the premises in accordance with paragraph 65(6)(za) of Schedule 4 to the Commencement and Transitional Provisions Order3, by a scale plan which complies with paragraph (4)”.
(3) In paragraph (3), at the beginning insert “For applications to which paragraph (2)(a) applies,”.
(4) After paragraph (3) insert—
(4) For applications to which paragraph (2)(b) applies, the plan must show the matters which it would be required to show under regulation 4 if the application were for the issue of a converted casino premises licence which included the variations specified in the application, but—
(a) as if for sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (4A) of regulation 4 there were substituted—
(ab) the location and extent of any part of the premises which will be a table gaming area; and
(b) the location and extent of any other part of the premises which will be used for providing facilities for gambling in reliance on the licence; and
(b) as if paragraph (4B) were omitted.”.
Section 2 outlines amendments to Regulation 7 of the 2007 Regulations, specifically concerning the form and content of applications to vary a premises licence.
The key change is adding a requirement for scale plans to show the location and extent of table gaming areas, especially when those applications relate to converted casino premises licences utilising new entitlements under the 2025 order.
This ensures that updated plans reflect any changes in licence permissions and the use of premises for gambling.
3.
(1) Regulation 21 (matters to be included in the plan accompanying a premises licence) of the 2007 Regulations is amended as follows.
(2) After paragraph (3) insert—
(4) In this regulation, references to regulation 4 are to be construed (where relevant) as references to that provision as modified in accordance with paragraph (4) of regulation 7.”.
Section 3 details further amendments to Regulation 21 of the 2007 regulations, related to the information that must be included in any accompanying plan of the premises.
The addition clarifies the interpretation of references to regulation 4 in light of the amendments detailed in Section 2, ensuring consistency in plan requirements and providing clarity for licence applicants.
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