Can a bingo or betting premises offer gaming machines only?
The Commission has recently published its view that bingo must be offered (albeit not necessarily at all times) in each separate bingo premises, and betting facilities must be available in each separate betting premises, and that operators of such premises may not simply make gaming machines available. This was communicated to trade associations in an open letter. We have also recently published a second letter which confirms our view that there needs to be an acceptable balance between the provision of the primary gambling activity and the provision of gaming machines. Local authorities will need to satisfy themselves that the primary gambling activity is made available in any bingo and betting premises for which they issue a premises licence. This may also be a relevant consideration where an existing premises licence holder applies to vary their licence to exclude an area of the premises from its ambit and then applies for a new premises licence, or multiple licences, for that or th
