The Gambling Act 2005 is a United Kingdom parliamentary bill designed to control and regulate all forms of gambling.
The main aims of the Act are to remove the negative and criminal associations of gambling, to ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and to protect children and vulnerable adults from being harmed or exploited by gambling. The Act means that local authorities now have licensing responsibility instead of Magistrate Courts.
Controversy surrounded the Act during its development as it would have allowed the building of super casinos. As this issue was still under debate at the time, it was decided that the Act should be changed to limit the super casino tally to just one. The bill also regulates internet gambling for the first time.
The Act is predicted to have heavy implications, especially for the promotions industry. The regulation of illegal lotteries will mean that ‘no purchase necessary’ product promotions and semi-legal competitions will have to end. They may be replaced by the ‘New Zealand Model’ whereby purchase will be required. There is the danger that new premium-rate lotteries may spring up where entry would mean purchasing a low-value high-price product.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2005/ukpga_20050019_en_1
