Under the Gambling Act 2005, the Council of the Isles of Scilly is the Licensing Authority for gambling activity throughout the islands.
We register small society lotteries and are responsible for issuing Premises Licences for betting offices, bingo clubs, adult gaming centres and family entertainment centres.The Council of the Isles of Scilly has passed a ‘no casino’ resolution under Section 166 of the Gambling Act 2005 at a meeting of the Full Council held on 8 December 2015. Potential licence applicants should note that no applications for casino premises licences will be considered.
We are also responsible for issuing permits for gaming machines in pubs, members clubs and unlicensed family entertainment centres as well as notices for operators wishing to provide facilities for gambling on a temporary or occasional basis.
The Gambling Act 2005 sets three licencing objectives:
- Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime;
- Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and
- Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling
The Gambling Act 2005 also set up a new regulator, the Gambling Commission, with powers to deal with gambling offences.
Remote gambling means gambling in which persons participate by the use of remote communication. In order to operate a remote gambling operation, there must be in force a remote operating licence issued by the Gambling Commission - please visit the Gambling Commission website for more information.
The Gambling Act 2005 requires licencing authorities to produce a Gambling Statement of Principles. You can view the Council of the Isles of Scilly's policy on this website, or it can be inspected at the offices of Licencing Services during normal office hours.