Gambling Act 2005

Gambling Act 2005

2005 CHAPTER 19

Territorial Extent

Territorial limits – vessels and aircraft

Schedule 6: Exchange of information: persons and bodies

Part 5: Operating Licences

Section 91: Bingo operating licence

276. The Secretary of State may use her regulation making to attach conditions to bingo operating licences on the matters specified in subsection (1). This includes power to limit the amount of stakes or participation fees or value of prizes; or requiring a specified proportion of stakes to be paid out by way or prizes, or imposing requirements specific to bingo games that are played on more than one set of premises. Subsection (2) then lists matters about which conditions cannot be made in relation to bingo operating licences. This means that the Commission has no power to set conditions on these matters, and, to the extent that it is not expressly permitted by subsection (1), nor does the Secretary of State.

277. The introduction of remote operating licences, together with the Secretary of State’s power to impose requirements that are specific to games played on more than one set of premises, at subsection (1)(e), replace the statutory provisions relating to “multiple” and “linked” bingo that are repealed by this Act. Remote operating licences will be required by those wishing to provide bingo by means of remote communication, even where the bingo is played partly on licensed bingo premises. The fees for these licences will be commensurate with the regulatory costs for the particular activities concerned.

278. Subsection (2)(f) prevents a condition being attached to a bingo operating licence which prohibits or limits the roll-over of prizes between bingo games. Neither the Secretary of State, nor the Commission can attach a condition relating to the roll-over of prizes.

279. In setting participation fees under subsection (1), different types of fee may be set, as amplified by section 344. For example, fees for admission to the premises can be distinguished from a fee to participate in a particular game. Fees can also be apportioned between gambling and non-gambling purposes.