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Section 19 certificate holders told to contact the Gambling Commission

With less than one month to go before the change in law on New Year’ Day, section 19 certificate holders are being asked to contact the Commission urgently if they have yet to make an application for a personal licence. 

The Commission has consistently reminded employees in the bingo and casino industry who still hold certificates of approval, issued under section 19 of the Gaming Act 1968 (section 19 certificates), to apply for their new personal licence. Existing section 19 certificates will cease to have effect at midnight on 31 December 2009.

The Commission’s Director of Regulation, Nick Tofiluk said:

“When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve anyone performing licensed duties in a bingo club or casino must have their new licence.

“The industry has responded very well with thousands of employees getting their licences in advance but we believe there are still a few section 19 certificate holders who need to apply. Anyone in that position should contact us immediately.”

Section 19 certificate holders were given until 31 August this year to guarantee their licence application would be processed under the Gambling Act 2005. The Commission wrote to licensed operators earlier this year to warn them about the change and received nearly 4,000 personal applications in the six months prior to the 31 August cut-off.

For further information on the requirements and to download an application form please go to the Commission’s website (bingo and casino). If you have any further questions then please contact the Commission via email on info@gamblingcommission.gov.uk or by calling us on 0121 230 6666.

Notes to editors

  • 1. The Gambling Commission (the Commission) regulates gambling in the public interest.
    2. The Commission’s objectives are: to prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime; to ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and, to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
    3. The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating all commercial gambling in Great Britain other than the National Lottery and spread betting, which are the responsibility of the National Lottery Commission and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) respectively.
    4. The need for criminal record checks means that personal licence applications made after 1 December, are unlikely to be determined in time for 1 January 2010.
    5. Section 19 certificates, such as red, white and pink certificates, were issued to employees in specified roles within the bingo and casino industries. Personal Functional Licence applications cost £185 and Personal Management Licence applications £370.
    6. See previous press releases from February and August.  

    Further information
  1. Further information is available from the Commission's website at: www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk. You can also contact John Travers on (0121) 230 6700 or communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk  

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