Gambling Commission ruling on charity events welcomed

CONFIRMATION from the Gambling Commission that hundreds of UK charities will not be breaking the law if they permit live betting at charity events has been welcomed by solicitors.

Worcestershire law practice MFG Solicitors stepped in last year when a Royal Ascot-themed charity race day set to be held at Worcester Rugby Club was threatened when Wychavon District Council ruled that it could not allow the event as the club’s Sixways stadium did not qualify as a suitable venue for an Occasional Use Notice (OUN) under the Gambling Act.

Now the Gambling Commission has issued guidance to help people understand the complex rules governing non-commercial and private gaming and betting. It is also intended to help commercial organisations who wish to run, for example, work-based lotteries.

The 11-page guidance, Advice on Non-Commercial and Private Gaming and Betting, available on the Gambling Commission website, is published just in time for the forthcoming race day season.

Alexander Hall, of MFG, said: “We are delighted that the Gambling Commission has concurred with the views we formed at MFG Solicitors at the time.

“As specialists in regulatory and licensing law we made an urgent request for guidance on the interpretation of the Gambling Act 2005 to the Gambling Commission and it was this action that enabled a major Worcestershire charity day to go ahead as planned.”

But he stressed that organisers of similar events should consider obtaining professional advice and that licensed bookmakers due to assist at such events should also check to ensure they will be operating within the conditions of their licence.