PART IIBETTING
Renewal of bookmakers' licences and bookmaking office licences
Renewal of bookmaking office licences by a court19.
(1)
On an application for the renewal of a bookmaking office licence a court of summary jurisdiction shall hear the objections, if any, made under Schedule 4.
(2)
A court shall, subject to paragraph (3), refuse an application for the renewal of a bookmaking office licence unless it is satisfied—
(a)
that the procedure relating to the application set out in Schedule 4 has been complied with; and
(b)
that the applicant is a licensed bookmaker; and
(c)
that there is in force in respect of the licensed office a fire certificate.
(3)
A court may renew a bookmaking office licence notwithstanding that the procedure relating to the application set out in Schedule 4 has not been complied with if, having regard to the circumstances, it is reasonable to do so.
(4)
A court may refuse an application for the renewal of a bookmaking office licence if it is satisfied—
(a)
that the premises are not suitable for use as a licensed office; or
(b)
that, having regard to the manner in which the business carried on in the licensed office has been conducted since the last previous renewal of the licence (or, where the renewal applied for is the first renewal of the licence, since the licence was granted), it is unlikely that, if the licence is renewed, the business will be properly conducted; or
(c)
that a person has been convicted of an offence in respect of a contravention, in connection with the licensed office, of any of the provisions of this Part, of any regulations made under it, orF1 of Chapter III of Part III, or any regulations made under it, or of Part I of the M1 Betting and Lotteries Act (Northern Ireland) 1957; or
(d)
that, since the last previous renewal of the licence (or, where the renewal applied for is the first renewal of the licence, since the licence was granted), the licensed office has been used for an unlawful purpose or as a resort of persons of known bad character.
(5)
Where the court refuses an application for the renewal of a bookmaking office licence, it shall specify in its order the reasons for its refusal.