WILLIAM HILL ORGANISATION

The Gambling Act 2005 and the Gambling Commission: This Act repealed most of the existing laws relating to gambling in Great Britain, replacing them with an improved, more comprehensive structure of gambling regulation. A new body, the Gambling Commission, was set up to regulate all commercial gambling in Great Britain apart from spread betting and the National Lottery. The Act has three licensing objectives, central to the regulatory regime, which underpin the functions that the Gambling Commission and public authorities acting in their capacity as licensing authorities perform.

These licensing objectives are: to keep crime out of gambling; to ensure that gambling is conducted fairly and openly; and to protect children and vulnerable people. Three types of licences are required by the Act: an operator licence concerned with the management and conduct of gambling; a personal licence for persons with key operational functions connected with the gambling business; and a premises licence for the property where the gambling takes place.

Operator licences and personal licences are issued and regulated by the Gambling Commission.