The newly formed U.K. Gambling Commission this week published for public consultation a draft version of its Statement of Principles on Licensing and Regulation--a document that lays out the key values and principles that the commission will apply as it assumes its full duties under the Gambling Act of 2005.
The consultation document is divided into two parts. The first part discusses the "high-level principles and values" that will "serve as the main public statement" of the commission's approach to regulation and are meant to "stand the test of time." According to commission Chairman Peter Dean, "The commission's aims are to keep crime out of gambling, to make sure it is conducted fairly and openly and to protect children and vulnerable people. Our Statement of Principles outlines the broad approach we intend to take to pursue these aims."
The second part of the consultation document deals with procedural issues for which final operational decisions have not yet been made. The commission is required to comment on certain provisions of the Gambling Act, so it has decided to flag them in this document and develop its procedures further before the Act comes fully into effect in September 2007. This section "is not yet complete, but is included here to illustrate the areas that will be covered."
The commission strongly encourages feedback on the issues raised in the document.
"We will be actively consulting with the gambling industry, government bodies, charities dealing with problem gambling, consumer organizations, faith groups and with members of the public to ensure that our approach is proportionate, fair and effective," Dean explained.
The Statement of Principles is the first document published by the commission as part of a broad consultation process that will also include the publication of draft licensing conditions and codes of practice next year. The commission will continue to review comments on the Statement of Principles until Jan. 27, 2006. A formal publication of the Statement of Principles will come in April 2006 after the commission has had time to consider the comments it has received.
Click here to view a copy of the Gambling Commission's Statement of Principles on Licensing and Regulation Consultation document.