Search Legislation

Gambling Act 2005

Changes over time for: Part 4

 Help about opening options

Version Superseded: 06/04/2016

Alternative versions:

Status:

Point in time view as at 14/03/2012.

Changes to legislation:

There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Gambling Act 2005, Part 4 . Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.

Part 4 E+W+SProtection of children and young persons

InterpretationE+W+S

45Meaning of “child” and “young person”E+W+S

(1)In this Act “child” means an individual who is less than 16 years old.

(2)In this Act “young person” means an individual who is not a child but who is less than 18 years old.

Commencement Information

I1S. 45 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

Principal offencesE+W+S

46Invitation to gambleE+W+S

(1)A person commits an offence if he invites, causes or permits a child or young person to gamble.

(2)But subsection (1) does not apply in relation to—

(a)participation in private or non-commercial gaming,

(b)participation in private or non-commercial betting,

(c)participation in a lottery,

(d)participation in football pools,

(e)the use of a Category D gaming machine,

(f)participation in equal chance gaming in accordance with a prize gaming permit,

(g)participation in equal chance gaming at a licensed family entertainment centre,

(h)participation in prize gaming at a non-licensed family entertainment centre, or

(i)participation in prize gaming at a travelling fair in accordance with section 292.

(3)In subsection (1) a reference to inviting a child or young person to gamble includes, in particular, a reference to intentionally—

(a)sending to a child or young person any document which advertises gambling, or

(b)bringing to the attention of a child or young person information about gambling with a view to encouraging the child or young person to gamble.

(4)If a document which is sent to a child or young person and which advertises gambling gives the name or contact details of a person to whom payment may be made or from whom information may be obtained, that person shall be treated as having committed the offence under subsection (1) unless he proves that the document was sent—

(a)without his consent, and

(b)without his authority.

(5)If information about gambling is brought to the attention of a child or young person and includes the name or contact details of a person to whom payment may be made or from whom information may be obtained, that person (“the advertiser”) shall be treated as having committed the offence under subsection (1) unless he proves that the information was brought to the attention of the child or young person—

(a)without the advertiser's consent or authority, or

(b)as an incident of the information being brought to the attention of adults and without a view to encouraging the child or young person to gamble.

(6)In subsections (4) and (5) “contact details” means—

(a)an address or other location,

(b)a telephone number,

(c)an internet site, or

(d)an email address.

Commencement Information

I2S. 46 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

47Invitation to enter premisesE+W+S

(1)A person commits an offence if he invites or permits a child or young person to enter premises if—

(a)a casino premises licence has effect in respect of the premises, and

(b)the premises are being used in reliance on that licence when the child or young person is invited or permitted to enter.

(2)But subsection (1) does not apply where—

(a)a child or young person is permitted to enter a part of premises which are being used for a regional casino, and

(b)that part is not being used for the provision of facilities for gambling when the child or young person is permitted to enter.

(3)The Secretary of State may for the purposes of subsection (2) by regulations make provision for—

(a)distinguishing between one part of premises and another;

(b)determining when use is being made of a part of premises.

(4)A person commits an offence if he invites or permits a child or young person to enter premises other than a track if—

(a)a betting premises licence has effect in respect of the premises, and

(b)the premises are being used in reliance on that licence when the child or young person is invited or permitted to enter.

(5)A person commits an offence if he invites or permits a child or young person to enter premises if—

(a)an adult gaming centre premises licence has effect in respect of the premises, and

(b)the premises are being used in reliance on that licence when the child or young person is invited or permitted to enter.

(6)A person commits an offence if he invites or permits a child or young person to enter an area from which children and young persons are required to be excluded by virtue of section 182.

(7)A person commits an offence if he invites or permits a child or young person to enter part of premises if—

(a)the premises are a licensed family entertainment centre,

(b)a person entering that part of the premises has access to a Category C gaming machine, and

(c)at the time when the child or young person is permitted or invited to enter, a Category C gaming machine is being used or is available for use.

Commencement Information

I3S. 47 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

48GamblingE+W+S

(1)A young person commits an offence if he gambles.

(2)But subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)participation in private or non-commercial gaming,

(b)participation in private or non-commercial betting,

(c)participation in a lottery,

(d)participation in football pools,

(e)the use of a Category D gaming machine,

(f)participation in equal chance gaming in accordance with a prize gaming permit,

(g)participation in equal chance gaming at a licensed family entertainment centre,

(h)participation in prize gaming at a non-licensed family entertainment centre, or

(i)participation in prize gaming at a travelling fair in accordance with section 292.

Commencement Information

I4S. 48 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

49Entering premisesE+W+S

A young person commits an offence if he enters premises in circumstances where a person would commit an offence under section 47 if he invited or permitted the young person to enter.

Commencement Information

I5S. 49 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

50Provision of facilities for gamblingE+W+S

(1)A young person commits an offence if he provides facilities for gambling.

(2)But subsection (1) does not apply to the provision of facilities in connection with—

(a)private or non-commercial gaming,

(b)private or non-commercial betting,

(c)a lottery,

(d)football pools, or

(e)prize gaming at a travelling fair in accordance with section 292.

Commencement Information

I6S. 50 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

Employment offencesE+W+S

51Employment to provide facilities for gamblingE+W+S

(1)A person commits an offence if he employs a child or young person to provide facilities for gambling.

(2)But subsection (1) does not apply to the provision of facilities in connection with—

(a)private or non-commercial gaming,

(b)private or non-commercial betting,

(c)a lottery,

(d)football pools, or

(e)prize gaming at a travelling fair in accordance with section 292.

Commencement Information

I7S. 51 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

52Employment for lottery or football poolsE+W+S

A person commits an offence if he employs a child to provide facilities for gambling in connection with—

(a)a lottery (other than a lottery which forms part of the National Lottery), or

(b)football pools.

Commencement Information

I8S. 52 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

53Employment on bingo and club premisesE+W+S

A person commits an offence if he employs a child to perform any function on premises where, and at a time when—

(a)facilities are provided for the playing of bingo, or

(b)facilities for gambling are provided in accordance with a club gaming permit or a club machine permit.

Commencement Information

I9S. 53 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

54Employment on premises with gaming machinesE+W+S

(1)A person commits an offence if—

(a)he employs a child or young person to perform any function on premises where a Category A, B, C or D gaming machine is situated, and

(b)the child or young person is or may be required in the course of his employment to perform a function in connection with the gaming machine.

(2)A young person commits an offence if he is employed in contravention of subsection (1).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I10S. 54 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

55Employment in casino, &c.E+W+S

(1)A person commits an offence if he employs a child or young person to perform any function on premises in respect of which any of the following have effect—

(a)a casino premises licence,

(b)a betting premises licence, and

(c)an adult gaming centre premises licence.

(2)But subsection (1) does not apply—

(a)to employment at a time when no activity is being carried on in reliance on the premises licence, or

(b)to employment on a part of premises which are being used for a regional casino at a time when that part is not being used for the provision of facilities for gambling.

(3)The Secretary of State may for the purposes of subsection (2) by regulations make provision for—

(a)distinguishing between one part of premises and another;

(b)determining when use is being made of a part of premises.

(4)A young person commits an offence if he is employed in contravention of subsection (1).

Commencement Information

I11S. 55 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

Miscellaneous offencesE+W+S

56Invitation to participate in lotteryE+W+S

(1)A person commits an offence if he invites, causes or permits a child to participate in a lottery other than—

(a)an incidental non-commercial lottery that is exempt for the purposes of section 258 by virtue of Part 1 of Schedule 11,

(b)a private lottery (whether a private society lottery, a work lottery or a residents' lottery) that is exempt for the purposes of section 258 by virtue of Part 2 of Schedule 11, or

(c)a lottery which forms part of the National Lottery.

(2)Subsections (3) to (6) of section 46 shall have effect in relation to subsection (1) of this section as they have effect in relation to subsection (1) of that section; and for that purpose—

(a)references to a child or young person shall be treated as references only to a child, and

(b)references to gambling shall be treated as references to participation in a lottery.

Commencement Information

I12S. 56 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

57Invitation to participate in football poolsE+W+S

(1)A person commits an offence if he invites, causes or permits a child to participate in football pools.

(2)Subsections (3) to (6) of section 46 shall have effect in relation to subsection (1) of this section as they have effect in relation to subsection (1) of that section; and for that purpose—

(a)references to a child or young person shall be treated as references only to a child, and

(b)references to gambling shall be treated as references to participation in football pools.

Commencement Information

I13S. 57 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

58Return of stakeE+W+S

A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse he fails to comply with a condition attached to an operating licence by virtue of section 83.

Commencement Information

I14S. 58 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

59Age limit for Category D gaming machinesE+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may by order create an offence of inviting, causing or permitting a child or young person below a specified age to use a Category D gaming machine.

(2)An order under subsection (1) may, in particular—

(a)apply (with modifications) or include provision similar to section 46(3) to (6);

(b)make consequential amendments of this Act.

(3)Before making an order under subsection (1) the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a)the Commission,

(b)one or more persons who appear to the Secretary of State to represent the interests of persons carrying on gambling businesses, and

(c)one or more persons who appear to the Secretary of State to have knowledge about social problems relating to gambling.

(4)An order under subsection (1) may apply to a class of Category D gaming machine determined by reference to—

(a)the nature of the facilities for gambling which are made available on the machine,

(b)the nature or value of a prize offered by the machine,

(c)the manner in which the machine operates, or

(d)any other matter.

Commencement Information

I15S. 59 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

GeneralE+W+S

60Temporary use noticeE+W+S

(1)For the purposes of this Part—

(a)a temporary use notice in respect of the use of premises to carry on an activity shall be treated as if it were a premises licence authorising that activity, and

(b)an occasional use notice in respect of premises shall be treated as if it were a betting premises licence.

(2)Sections 47(6) and 182 shall apply in relation to a notice treated as a premises licence by virtue of subsection (1) above.

Commencement Information

I16S. 60 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

61EmploymentE+W+S

(1)In this Part a reference to employing a person includes a reference to—

(a)employing or engaging the person whether or not under a contract of employment, and

(b)causing or permitting the person to be employed or engaged.

(2)Where a person commits an offence under this Part by employing a person or by being employed, he shall be treated as committing the offence on each day during any part of which the employment continues.

Commencement Information

I17S. 61 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

62PenaltyE+W+S

(1)A person guilty of an offence under this Part shall be liable on summary conviction to—

(a)imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks,

(b)a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or

(c)both.

(2)But in relation to an offence committed by a young person subsection (1) shall have effect as if—

(a)paragraphs (a) and (c) were omitted, and

(b)in paragraph (b) the reference to level 5 were a reference to level 3.

(3)In the application of subsection (1) to Scotland the reference to 51 weeks shall have effect as a reference to six months.

Commencement Information

I18S. 62 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

63Reasonable belief about person's ageE+W+S

(1)Where a person is charged with an offence under this Part of doing anything in relation to an individual who is a child it is a defence for the person charged to prove that—

(a)he took all reasonable steps to determine the individual's age, and

(b)he reasonably believed that the individual was not a child.

(2)Where a person is charged with an offence under this Part of doing anything in relation to an individual who is a young person it is a defence for the person charged to prove that—

(a)he took all reasonable steps to determine the individual's age, and

(b)he reasonably believed that the individual was not a young person.

Commencement Information

I19S. 63 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

64Use of children in enforcement operationsE+W+S

(1)Nothing in this Part renders unlawful—

(a)anything done, in the performance of his functions, by a constable, an enforcement officer or an authorised person, or

(b)anything done by a child or young person at the request of a constable, enforcement officer or authorised person acting in the performance of his functions.

(2)Subsection (1) applies to an order under section 59 as to the provisions of this Part.

Commencement Information

I20S. 64 in force at 1.9.2007 by S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11, 7-12, Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources