A new legislation will come into effect by the end of 2007 that will force anyone who runs or wants to run a gambling business in the North East area to apply for a license. This new law includes local betting shops, amusement arcades, bingo halls and casinos.

The Gambling Commission will be in charge of licensing and regulating gambling in Britain as established in the Gambling Act 2005. As of 1 September 2007 and for the first time, the betting and Internet gambling activities will be regulated.

“If you provide commercial facilities for gambling in Britain you will have to be licensed by the Commission, it is as simple as that,” Hazel Canter, the Commission’s Director of Licensing and Compliance, explained.

There are three types of license: operating, personal and premises, and some businesses may need all of them. Operating and personal licenses will be issued by the Commission, while premises licenses will be issued by local licensing authorities.

Some examples of operators that require a license include: casino operators; providers of bingo, betting and pool betting facilities; betting intermediaries; operators of gaming machines for use in adult gaming centers or family entertainment centers; gambling software producers and lottery promoters.