High turnover bingo operators and multi-operator self-exclusion requirements

Gambling Commission_8The Gambling Commission has published its response to its May 2016 consultation that sought views on whether some bingo operating licence holders should not be required to participate in a multi-operator self-exclusion scheme.

With effect from autumn 2016, the Commission will exempt from the existing code operators that offer exempt bingo, and hold a bingo operating licence (because they reach the high turnover bingo limit), but who do not hold premises licences. It will achieve this by amending the Social Responsibility Code provision 3.5.6 (Self-exclusion – multi-operator non-remote SR code) applicable to all non-remote casino licences, bingo licences and betting licences (except in respect of the provision of facilities for betting in reliance on a track premises licence) and holders of gaming machine general operating licences for adult gaming centres, so that it reads as follows:

Licensees must offer customers with whom they enter into a self-exclusion agreement in respect of facilities for any kind of gambling offered by them at licensed gambling premises the ability to self-exclude from facilities for the same kind of gambling offered in their locality by any other holder of an operating licence to whom this provision applies, by participating in one or more available multi-operator self-exclusion schemes.

The Commission’s response can be downloaded below.