The Deregulation (Betting Licensing) Order 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order, which is made under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, amends various provisions in the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 (“the 1963 Act”) relating to the licensing of betting offices and permits for bookmakers and betting agencies, in order to reduce the burden on businesses operating in the betting industry.

Article 3 of the Order enables a clerk to a committee responsible for the grant and renewal of licences and permits under Schedule 1 to the 1963 Act to act for the committee when applications for the renewal of such licences and permits are unopposed.

Article 6 extends the duration of such licences and permits to three years. They currently require annual renewal.

To compensate for these deregulatory measures, article 2 enables a court to order the cancellation and forfeiture of a betting office licence held by a person convicted of managing a betting office in contravention of the rules set out in Schedule 4 to the 1963 Act. Article 4 requires the holder of a bookmaker’s permit to notify the Horserace Betting Levy Board of a change of his office address. Article 5 makes new provision for the cancellation of betting office licences.

In consequence of article 6, article 7 replaces the requirement on the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament annual reports containing statistical information with respect to bookmakers’ permits, betting agency permits and betting office licences, with a requirement to lay such reports every three years.