UK Act of Parliament
1985
Northern Ireland
The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
79 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
Penalty landscape
48 of 79 obligations carry a criminal penalty. 31 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Plus 1 non-business duty on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Supporting — topic alignment
1 guidesWhat this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 2(1) shall be in...
- Include director and financial interest details in application notice (body corporate)
A licensed bookmaker who intends to make an application for...
- Publish and serve notice when applying for a bookmaking office licence
A licensed bookmaker who intends to make an application to...
- Give notice to court and police when applying to finalise a bookmaker's licence
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 2(1) shall be in...
- Include director and financial interest details in licence renewal notice
A licensed bookmaker who intends to make an application for...
- Give notice of bookmaking office licence renewal application
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 2 shall be in...
- Include director and financial interest details in licence renewal notice
A licensed bookmaker who intends to make an application for...
- Publish and serve notice when applying to transfer a bookmaking office licence
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be in...
- Include prescribed information and company details in application notice
(1) Before the hearing of the application for the transfer...
- Fail to deposit a bookmaking licence with the clerk of petty sessions following a court order
A licensed bookmaker who intends to make an application for...
- Give notice to court and police before applying to move betting shop temporarily
Where an accountant has been appointed under paragraph 7, the...
- Do not operate totalisator without accountant present
(1) The accountant, the technical adviser and their respective servants...
- Obstruct an inspector or provide false information
The operator shall, within 7 days after the close of...
- Submit monthly statement of accounts to your appointed accountant
(1) Without prejudice to his duties under the preceding paragraphs,...
- Print audited totalisator accounts and send copies to the Department
Without prejudice to paragraph 11(2) and Article 43(2), if the...
- Fail to comply with track betting provisions and regulations
The person, whether the occupier of the licensed track or...
- Keep totalisator in proper working order at licensed tracks
The operator shall, before receiving any bets in connection with...
- Display minimum stake and deduction notices at totalisator betting areas
The operator shall, in the case of any bets made...
- Deduct betting duty and commission from totalisator stakes before paying winnings
The terms on which the accountant is appointed shall include...
- Ensure accountant or authorised representative attends totalisator when operating
(1) Where a person becomes a betting worker to whom...
- Give betting workers a written statement of Sunday working rights
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 2 shall be in...
- Include director and financial interest details in bingo licence application notice
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 1 shall specify—
- Include required details in your gaming machine certificate application notice
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 2 shall be in...
- Include director and financial interest details in gaming machine certificate application notice
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be in...
- Include director and financial interest details in licence application notice
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 2 shall be in...
- Include full corporate ownership and control details in lottery certificate renewal notice
Browse 129 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
. . . . . . . . . ....
(1) A person who intends to make an application for...
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 5 shall, not...
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 1 shall specify—
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 4 shall, not...
Part I shall apply for the purposes of an application...
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Before or at the hearing of the application to have...
The Department of Justice shall, not less than 6 weeks...
(1) A person who intends to make an application for...
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 5 shall, not...
Before the renewal date, the applicant shall deposit the bookmaker's...
Part I shall apply for the purposes of an application...
The Department of Justice shall, not less than 6 weeks...
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 5 shall, not...
Before the renewal date, the applicant shall deposit the bookmaking...
Part I shall apply for the purposes of an application...
Where the application is made under Article 24(1) the requirements...
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 4 shall, not...
Part I shall apply for the purposes of an application...
The notice mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be in such...
The sub-divisional commander upon whom notice is required by paragraph...
In this Schedule “application” means an application for the revocation...
(1) A person who intends to make an application shall,...
The notice mentioned in paragraph 2(1) shall specify the grounds...
The holder of the licence or, as the case may...
A person intending to object under paragraph 4 shall, not...
The totalisator shall be a mechanically or electrically operated apparatus...
The accountant shall examine the statements of account submitted to...
The accountant shall retain for a period of 2 years...
Where the number of pence in the amount payable in...
The terms on which the operator invites persons to bet...
The Department may appoint a qualified accountant (the accountant) who...
Subject to paragraph 9, the accountant and the technical adviser...
(1) In this Schedule “betting worker” means an employee who,...
(1) An employee who is a protected betting worker or...
(1) Where an employee who is a protected betting worker...
(1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for...
Articles 140 and 141 of the Employment Rights Order (qualifying...
(1) Any provision in an agreement (whether a contract of...
In Article 135 of the Employment Rights Order (dismissal on...
In Article 24 of the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), a betting worker is to...
(1) Any contract of employment under which a betting worker...
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) under the contract of...
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) under the contract of...
(1) A betting worker to whom this paragraph applies may...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), a betting worker is to...
(1) Where a betting worker gives his employer an opting-out...
A person who intends to make an application for the...
(1) The notice mentioned in paragraph 1 shall specify—
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 4 shall, not...
Part I shall apply for the purposes of an application...
A person who intends to make an application to have...
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Before or at the hearing of the application to have...
The Department of Justice shall, not less than 6 weeks...
A person who intends to make an application for the...
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 5 shall, not...
Before the renewal date, the applicant shall deposit the bingo...
Part I shall apply for the purposes of an application...
A person who intends to make an application for the...
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 4 shall, not...
Part I shall apply for the purposes of an application...
The Department of Justice shall, not less than 6 weeks...
A person who intends to make an application for the...
The applicant shall attach to the notice mentioned in paragraph...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 5 shall, not...
Before the renewal date, the applicant shall deposit the gaming...
Part I shall apply for the purposes of an application...
A person who intends to make an application for the...
The notice mentioned in paragraph 1 shall specify—
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 3 shall, not...
A person who intends to make an application for the...
The notice mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be in such...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 3 shall, not...
Before the renewal date, the applicant shall deposit the certificate...
Part I shall apply for the purposes of an application...
Upon the conviction of the tenant or occupier (in this...
If the tenant fails to do so within 3 months,...
Where the lease or contract is determined under this Schedule,...
The approval of the lessor or landlord for the purposes...
This Schedule shall have effect subject to the Rent (Northern...
Para. 5 rep. by 1996 NI 5
This Schedule makes provision about the circumstances in which an...
For the purposes of Articles 131(2) and 168(2A) and this...
It is immaterial for the purposes of Articles 131(2) and...
It is also immaterial for the purposes of Articles 131(2)...
(1) For the purposes of Articles 131(2) and 168(2A) and...
For the purposes of Articles 131(2) and 168(2A) and this...
For the purposes of Articles 131(2) and 168(2A) and this...
(1) For the purposes of Article 131(2) and 168(2A) and...
Regulations may provide that an activity of a specified kind...
A person who intends to make an application for the...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 3 shall, not...
The Department of Justice shall, not less than 6 weeks...
A person who intends to make an application for the...
Any person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing...
A person intending to object under paragraph 4 shall, not...
Before the renewal date, the applicant shall deposit the lottery...
Part I shall apply for the purposes of an application...
(1) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Act of 1957 by...
(1) Where, before the commencement date, notice of an application...
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 18, on the first...
For the purposes of Article 45(2)(b), where the occupier of...
(1) The chairman or secretary of a club in existence...
(1) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Art Unions Act 1846...
The provisions of this Schedule shall have effect without prejudice...
In this Schedule— “The Act of 1957” means the Betting...
art.3
- Use premises for unlawful betting transactions
art.5
- Engage in street betting or bookmaking
art.6
- Operate as a bookmaker without a licence
art.9
- Carry on bookmaking business without a premises licence
art.13
- Complete court-ordered alterations to your betting shop and file updated plans
Closing of licensed offices on certain days
- Keep licensed betting office open on prohibited days
art.32
- Fail to comply with licensed betting office rules
art.33
- Employ agent or collector of bets outside licensed office
art.34
- Employ a disqualified person in a bookmaking business
art.36
- Carry on bookmaking at a track without a track betting licence
art.41
- Fail to surrender cancelled track betting licence
Revocation of track betting licences
- Fail to surrender a revoked track betting licence
art.43
- Breach of track betting regulations
Restriction of pool betting
- Carry on pool betting business in breach of restrictions
art.46
- Make unauthorised charge to bookmaker at licensed track
art.48
- Conduct betting on a track on prohibited days
art.49
- Engage in bookmaking on a licensed track
art.50
- Admit under-18 to licensed betting office
art.51
- Have betting transactions involving under-18s
art.52
- Send betting adverts to under-18s for profit
art.59
- Organise unlawful gaming or allow premises to be used for it
art.64
- Complete court-ordered premises alterations and file plans for bingo club licence
Who may participate in bingo
- Ensure only eligible, present participants play bingo in your club
art.78
- Fail to comply with bingo club gaming conditions
art.81
- Supply or maintain a gaming machine without a certificate or permit
art.82
- Supply gaming machine on prohibited terms or in breach of regulations
art.95
- Allow gaming machine to be used in breach of restrictions
Use of gaming machines in registered clubs
- Fail to comply with gaming machine rules in registered clubs
Use of gaming machines on other premises
- Fail to comply with gaming machine operating conditions
art.112
- Comply with council conditions on amusement permits for gaming premises
art.120
- Fail to comply with amusement permit conditions
art.122
- Fail to comply with gaming machine rules at exempt entertainments
Removal of money from gaming machines on certain premises
- Remove money from gaming machine without authorisation
Regulation of gaming machines
- Supply, maintain or allow use of non-compliant gaming machines
Prohibition on inviting, etc. person under 18 to play gaming machine
- Invite or permit under-18 to play gaming machine
art.126
- Organise or allow unlawful gaming at non-commercial entertainments
art.130
- Advertise gaming premises or invite public to participate in gaming
art.132
- Illegally promote or conduct a lottery
art.133
- Run a lottery at an exempt entertainment without complying with conditions
art.134
- Promote a private lottery in breach of conditions
art.135
- Register and run society lotteries lawfully in Northern Ireland
art.136
- Register your society with the council to run lotteries and keep registration updated
Rules for societies' lotteries
- Follow rules when running a society lottery in Northern Ireland
art.138
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Department must consult district councils before making societies' lottery regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
art.139
- Contravene society lottery requirements or provide false lottery returns
art.140
- Act as external lottery consultant or manager without a certificate
art.153
- Fail to comply with conditions for amusements with prizes at exempt entertainment
art.154
- Breach conditions for providing amusements with prizes at permitted premises
art.158
- Complete required premises alterations and submit plans for pleasure permit
art.166
- Breach of pleasure permit conditions or requirements
Prize competitions
- Run unlawful prize competitions
Cheating
- Cheat at gambling
Provision for inspection and rights of entry
- Obstruct constable inspection of licensed gaming premises
Procedure in connection with revocation, cancellation and disqualification
- Fail toreturn licence or permit after court revocation or cancellation
Browse 137 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
art.1
art.2
art.4
Persons to whom bookmakers' licences may be granted
art.8
art.10
art.11
art.12
art.14
art.15
art.16
art.17
art.18
art.19
art.20
art.21
art.22
art.23
art.24
art.25
art.26
Revocation of bookmakers' licences
Revocation of bookmaking office licences
art.29
art.30
art.35
art.37
art.38
art.39
art.40
art.45
art.47
art.53
Rights of betting workers as respects Sunday working
Exclusion of Sunday Observance Act (Ireland) 1695
art.54
art.55
art.56
art.57
art.58
art.60
Persons to whom bingo club licences may be granted
art.62
art.63
art.65
art.66
art.67
art.68
art.69
art.70
art.71
Revocation of bingo club licences
art.73
art.74
Conditions applying to bingo
Gaming for prizes on bingo club premises
art.79
art.80
art.83
Persons to whom gaming machine certificates or permits may be granted
art.85
art.86
art.87
art.88
art.89
art.90
art.91
Revocation of gaming machine certificates
art.93
art.94
art.96
art.97
art.98
art.99
art.100
art.101
art.102
Cancellation of registration of clubs
art.104
art.105
art.107
Persons to whom amusement permits may be granted
art.110
Grant of amusement permits
art.113
art.114
Renewal of amusement permits
art.116
art.117
art.118
art.119
art.121
Disqualification of holder of gaming machine certificate or gaming machine permit on conviction of offence
art.127
art.128
art.129
Illegality of lotteries
Persons to whom lottery certificates may be granted
art.142
art.143
art.144
art.145
art.146
art.147
art.148
Revocation of lottery certificates
art.150
art.151
art.152
Persons to whom pleasure permits may be granted
art.156
art.157
art.159
art.160
art.161
art.162
art.163
art.164
art.165
art.167
Gaming and wagering contracts void
Securities in connection with gaming and wagering illegal
Charges for licences and certificates
Notification of change of directors, etc., of a body corporate
Register of licences, certificates and permits
Register of clubs
Inspection of registers
Returns to Department
Registers to be evidence
Proof of licences, etc.
Code of practice
Prosecution and punishment of offences
Forfeiture of gaming machines as statutory consequence of conviction
Forfeiture on order of court
Appeals
Orders and regulations
Modifications of Schedules, amendments, transitional provisions and repeals
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Society lotteries (Gambling Commission) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- House to house charitable collections licence (Northern Ireland) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- House to house collection licence (England and Wales) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Street collection licence (England and Wales) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Follow the Code of Fundraising Practice and your trustee duties (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- CCNI fundraising guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Public charitable collection permit (Scotland) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Register a charity with OSCR (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Register a charity with the Charity Commission (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Police Forces
Enforce criminal law including licensing conditions (e.g. alcohol, entertainment), knife sales restrictions, and age-restricted product sales. Work with trading standards on enforcement …
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Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.