Friday, March 02, 2007

Industry leaders have expressed disappointment at the high level of gambling
licence fees set by the Government. The Gambling (Premises Licence) (Fees)
Regulations 2007, tabled in Parliament on 21 February, shows only a modest
decrease from the fees proposed in last year, which were labelled
"preposterous" by Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL). Premises licence
fees for gambling will be significantly higher than those for liquor
licensing - for example a bingo club that would pay an annual fee of £350
for liquor will have to pay up to £1,000 for gambling. The BISL has urged
ministers to stress to local authorities that these levels are maximum fees
and should not be used as a barometer of what must be charged. Brigid
Simmonds, chief executive of the industry group, said: "It makes no sense
for gambling premises licence fees to be so significantly higher than those
for liquor licensing as the two regulatory regimes are very similar.