Gambling Act 2005

The act gives its objectives as

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1. preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime,
2. ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and
3. protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

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Some provisions of the bill faced controversy, particularly in its original form, where it would have allowed eight so-called "super casinos" to be set up. With the parliamentary session drawing to a close, a compromise was agreed to reduce this to one.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4412949.stm | title=Climbdown saves super casino plan | publisher=BBC News website | date=2005-04-05 | accessdate=2007-08-09 | archive-date=13 February 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213093014/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4412949.stm | url-status=live }} Despite a lengthy bidding process, with Manchester being chosen as the single planned location, the development was cancelled soon after Gordon Brown became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7264143.stm | work=BBC News | title=Super-casino proposal is ditched | date=2008-02-26 | accessdate=2010-05-03 | archive-date=19 May 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519073815/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7264143.stm | url-status=live }} The act also specifically regulates Internet gambling for the first time.

One of the biggest changes was the removal of the "debt of honour" exemption which stopped people from taking legal action over unpaid winnings (which had been law since the Gaming Act 1845). Under the 2005 act's section 335 "Enforceability of gambling contracts", punters were now able to take legal action over unpaid winnings in a court of law.{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/19/section/335|title=Gambling Act 2005: Enforceability of gambling contracts|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|access-date=1 February 2020|archive-date=10 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210054644/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/19/section/335|url-status=live}}

The law permits gambling companies to advertise on television and radio.{{cite news |last1=Reuben |first1=Anthony |title=Premier League shirts row: The fickle fashions of sponsorship |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45440347 |accessdate=22 September 2018 |publisher=BBC News |date=22 September 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922002206/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45440347 |url-status=live }}

The act is wide-ranging including regulation of lotteries. The "no purchase necessary" clause on on-product promotions and semi-legal competitions went, replaced with the so-called "New Zealand Model" where purchase may be a requirement, if the purchase is at the "normal selling price".

The act, together with regulations and specifications developed by the Gambling Commission, define and in some cases redefine, categories of gaming machines and where they are allowed to be placed.

From 1 December 2014, the Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Act 2014 contributed several updates to the Act, including a requirement that all off-shore gambling brands apply for a licence from the Gambling Commission and submit to a 15% point of consumption (POC) tax on gross profits.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rightcasino.com/news/new-uk-gambling-law-explained/ |title="New UK gambling law explained: what's all the fuss about?" Right Casino. Retrieved 6 October 2014. |access-date=6 October 2014 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306234920/https://www.rightcasino.com/news/new-uk-gambling-law-explained/ |url-status=dead }}

On 8 December 2020, the UK government announced a review of the act, to "make sure it is fit for the digital age". The announcement included a call for evidence, with a deadline at the end of March 2021.{{Cite web|last=Greenwood|first=Yvonne|date=2020-12-11|title=Slot Machines Set To Be Targeted Under Gambling Act Review|url=https://www.slotshawk.com/news/slot-machines-set-to-be-targeted-under-gambling-act-review/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021200113/https://www.slotshawk.com/news/slot-machines-set-to-be-targeted-under-gambling-act-review/|archive-date=21 October 2023|access-date=2020-12-12|website=SlotsHawk|language=en-GB|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=8 December 2020|title=Review of the Gambling Act 2005 Terms of Reference and Call for Evidence|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-gambling-act-2005-terms-of-reference-and-call-for-evidence/review-of-the-gambling-act-2005-terms-of-reference-and-call-for-evidence|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905194305/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-gambling-act-2005-terms-of-reference-and-call-for-evidence/review-of-the-gambling-act-2005-terms-of-reference-and-call-for-evidence|archive-date=5 September 2023|access-date=2020-12-12|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport|language=en|url-status=live}}

• Gaming Act 1845
• Gaming law
• Gambling in the United Kingdom

{{reflist|2}}

• [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/19/contents The Gambling Act 2005], as amended from the National Archives
• [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/19/contents/enacted The Gambling Act 2005], as originally enacted from the National Archives
• [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/19/notes/contents Explanatory notes] to the Gambling Act 2005
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070205110117/http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/Gambling_racing/gambling_act_2005/ Department of Culture note on the Act]

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Category:United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 2005

Category:Gambling legislation in the United Kingdom