OpenLegislation

The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985

1985/1204 · Made 31 July 1985 · Extends to Northern Ireland

Not fully up to date. 3 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 January 2025.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
art. 172A and cross-headinginsertedBetting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 s. 15(1)
art. 186(3A)insertedBetting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 s. 15(2)(a)
art. 186(4)words substitutedBetting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 s. 15(2(b)

31st July 1985

Annotations to the whole text

Textual amendments

F1

functions transf. by SR 1999/481

Contents

  1. Part I: INTRODUCTORY
  2. 1Title and commencement
  3. 2Interpretation
  4. Part II: BETTING
  5. General restrictions on betting
  6. 3Restriction on use of premises for betting transactions
  7. 4Persons found on premises used for betting transactions
  8. 5Prohibition of betting in streets and public places
  9. Licensing of bookmakers
  10. 6Prohibition on acting as a bookmaker without a licence
  11. 7Persons to whom bookmakers' licences may be granted
  12. 8Grant of bookmakers' licences
  13. Licensing of bookmaking offices
  14. 9Prohibition on using certain premises without a bookmaking office licence
  15. 10Persons to whom bookmaking office licences may be granted
  16. 11Premises for which bookmaking office licences may be granted
  17. 12Grant of bookmaking office licences
  18. 13Grant of bookmaking office licence conditional on alterations being made in licensed office
  19. 14Provisional grant of bookmaking office licences
  20. 15Form and duration of new bookmakers' licences and bookmaking office licences
  21. Renewal of bookmakers' licences and bookmaking office licences
  22. 16Renewal of bookmakers' licences
  23. 17Renewal of bookmakers' licences by a court
  24. 18Renewal of bookmaking office licences
  25. 19Renewal of bookmaking office licences by a court
  26. 20Renewal of bookmakers' licences and bookmaking office licences out of time
  27. 21Continuance of bookmakers' licences and bookmaking office licences pending determination of appeal
  28. 22Duration of renewed bookmakers' licences and bookmaking office licences
  29. Transfer of bookmaking office licences
  30. 23Transfer of bookmaking office licences
  31. 24Concurrent transfer and renewal of bookmaking office licences
  32. 25Appeal from transfer
  33. Temporary continuance of business in other premises
  34. 26Temporary continuance of business in certain circumstances
  35. Revocation of bookmakers' licences and bookmaking office licences
  36. 27Revocation of bookmakers' licences
  37. 28Revocation of bookmaking office licences
  38. 29Continuance of bookmakers' licences or bookmaking office licences pending determination of appeal against revocation
  39. 30Disqualification of licensed bookmaker or licensed office on revocation of licence
  40. Licensed bookmakers and licensed offices
  41. 31Closing of licensed offices on certain days
  42. 32Conduct of licensed offices
  43. 33Employment of agents
  44. 34Employment of disqualified persons
  45. 35Power to exclude drunken persons, etc., from licensed offices
  46. Licensing of tracks
  47. 36Restriction of bookmaking and pool betting on tracks
  48. 37Grant of track betting licences
  49. 38Appeal against refusal of track betting licences
  50. 39Provisional grant of track betting licences
  51. 40Form and duration of track betting licences
  52. 41Cancellation of track betting licences
  53. 42Revocation of track betting licences
  54. 43Regulation of licensed tracks
  55. Totalisators
  56. 44Restriction of pool betting
  57. 45Totalisators on licensed tracks
  58. Conduct of licensed tracks
  59. 46Charges to bookmakers on licensed tracks
  60. 47Saving for right of occupier of licensed tracks to prohibit betting
  61. 48Restriction on betting on tracks on certain days
  62. 49Occupiers of licensed tracks not to have an interest in bookmaking on the track
  63. Special provisions with respect to young persons
  64. 50Young persons prohibited from licensed offices
  65. 51Betting with young persons
  66. 52Betting circulars not to be sent to young persons
  67. Miscellaneous
  68. 53Disqualification of licensed bookmaker on conviction of offence
  69. 53ARights of betting workers as respects Sunday working
  70. 53BExclusion of Sunday Observance Act (Ireland) 1695
  71. Part III: GAMING
  72. Chapter I: GAMING ELSEWHERE THAN ON BINGO CLUB PREMISES
  73. 54Gaming to which Chapter I applies
  74. 55Prohibition of certain gaming
  75. 56No charge for taking part in gaming
  76. 57No levy on stakes or winnings
  77. 58Prohibition of gaming in streets and public places
  78. 59Offences relating to gaming
  79. Chapter II: GAMING ON BINGO CLUB PREMISES
  81. 60Gaming to which Chapter II applies
  82. Bingo club licences
  83. 61Persons to whom bingo club licences may be granted
  84. 62Premises for which bingo club licences may be granted
  85. 63Grant of bingo club licences
  86. 64Grant of bingo club licence conditional on alterations being made in bingo club premises
  87. 65Provisional grant of bingo club licences
  88. 66Form and duration of new bingo club licences
  89. 67Renewal of bingo club licences
  90. 68Renewal of bingo club licences by a court
  91. 69Renewal of bingo club licences out of time
  92. 70Continuance of bingo club licences pending determination of appeal
  93. 71Duration of renewed bingo club licences
  94. 72Revocation of bingo club licences
  95. 73Continuance of bingo club licences pending determination of appeal against revocation
  96. 74Disqualification of holder of bingo club licence or bingo club premises on revocation of licence
  97. Gaming by way of bingo
  98. 75Who may participate in bingo
  99. 76Conditions applying to bingo
  100. Gaming for prizes
  101. 77Gaming for prizes on bingo club premises
  102. Miscellaneous
  103. 78Offences relating to bingo and bingo club premises
  104. 79Disqualification of holder of bingo club licence or bingo club premises on conviction of offence
  105. Chapter III: GAMING BY WAY OF A GAMING MACHINE
  107. 80Gaming to which Chapter III applies
  108. Supply and maintenance of gaming machines
  109. 81General restrictions
  110. 82Restrictions as to terms and conditions
  111. 83Application of Articles 81 and 82 to concessionaires
  112. Gaming machine certificates and permits
  113. 84Persons to whom gaming machine certificates or permits may be granted
  114. 85Grant of gaming machine certificates or permits
  115. 86Form and duration of new gaming machine certificates and permits
  116. 87Renewal of gaming machine certificates
  117. 88Renewal of gaming machine certificates by a court
  118. 89Renewal of gaming machine certificates out of time
  119. 90Continuance of gaming machine certificates pending determination of appeal
  120. 91Duration of renewed gaming machine certificates
  121. 92Revocation of gaming machine certificates
  122. 93Continuance of gaming machine certificates pending determination of appeal or otherwise
  123. 94Disqualification of holder of gaming machine certificate on revocation of certificate
  124. Use of gaming machines
  125. 95General restriction on use of gaming machines
  126. Registration of clubs
  127. 96Registration of clubs
  128. 97Issue and duration of certificate of registration
  129. 98Renewal of registration of clubs
  130. 99Renewal of registration of clubs by a court
  131. 100Renewal of registration of clubs out of time
  132. 101Continuance of registration of clubs pending determination of appeal
  133. 102Duration of renewed certificates of registration
  134. 103Cancellation of registration of clubs
  135. 104Continuance of registration of clubs pending determination of appeal against cancellation
  136. Gaming machines in registered clubs
  137. 105Gaming machines restricted from certain registered clubs
  138. 106Use of gaming machines in registered clubs
  139. Gaming machines on other premises
  140. 107Gaming machines restricted from certain premises
  141. 108Use of gaming machines on other premises
  142. Amusement permits
  143. 109Persons to whom amusement permits may be granted
  144. 110Premises for which amusement permits may be granted
  145. 111Grant of amusement permits
  146. 112Grant of amusement permit conditional on alterations being made in premises
  147. 113Provisional grant of amusement permits
  148. 114Form and duration of amusement permits
  149. 115Renewal of amusement permits
  150. 116Continuance of amusement permits pending determination of appeal
  151. 117Duration of renewed amusement permits
  152. 118Certain amusement premises to close at certain hours
  153. 119Appeals in relation to amusement permits
  154. 120Offences in connection with amusement permits
  155. 121Cancellation of amusement permit by a court
  156. Gaming machines at exempt entertainments
  157. 122Use of gaming machines at exempt entertainments
  158. Miscellaneous
  159. 123Removal of money from gaming machines on certain premises
  160. 124Regulation of gaming machines
  161. 124A⁠Prohibition on inviting, etc. person under 18 to play gaming machine
  162. 125Disqualification of holder of gaming machine certificate or gaming machine permit on conviction of offence
  163. Chapter IV: GAMING AT ENTERTAINMENTS NOT HELD FOR PRIVATE GAIN
  164. 126Gaming at entertainments not held for private gain
  165. 127Prohibition on clubs on conviction of offence
  166. Chapter V: MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTARY
  167. 128Special charges for play at certain clubs
  168. 129Eviction of tenant permitting premises to be used for gaming
  169. 130Restrictions on advertisements relating to gaming
  170. Part IV: LOTTERIES
  171. General Illegality of Lotteries
  172. 131Illegality of lotteries
  173. 132General lottery offences
  174. Small lotteries at exempt entertainments
  175. 133Small Lotteries at exempt entertainments
  176. Private lotteries
  177. 134Private Lotteries
  178. Societies' lotteries
  179. 135Societies' lotteries
  180. 136Registration of societies
  181. 137Rules for societies' lotteries
  182. 138Regulation of societies' lotteries
  183. 139Offences relating to societies' lotteries
  184. Lottery certificates
  185. 140Prohibition on acting as a lottery consultant or manager without a certificate
  186. 141Persons to whom lottery certificates may be granted
  187. 142Grant of lottery certificates
  188. 143Form and duration of new lottery certificates
  189. 144Renewal of lottery certificates
  190. 145Renewal of lottery certificates by a court
  191. 146Renewal of lottery certificates out of time
  192. 147Continuance of lottery certificates pending determination of appeal
  193. 148Duration of renewed lottery certificates
  194. 149Revocation of lottery certificates
  195. 150Continuance of lottery certificates pending determination of appeal against revocation
  196. 151Disqualification of holder of lottery certificate on revocation of certificate
  197. 152Disqualification of holder of lottery certificate on conviction of offence
  198. Part V: AMUSEMENTS AND COMPETITIONS
  199. Amusements with prizes
  200. 153Amusements with prizes at exempt entertainments
  201. 154Amusements with prizes at certain other places
  202. Pleasure permits
  203. 155Persons to whom pleasure permits may be granted
  204. 156Premises for which pleasure permits may be granted
  205. 157Grant of pleasure permits
  206. 158Grant of pleasure permit conditional on alterations being made in premises
  207. 159Provisional grant of pleasure permits
  208. 160Form and duration of pleasure permits
  209. 161Renewal of pleasure permits
  210. 162Continuance of pleasure permits pending determination of appeal
  211. 163Duration of renewed pleasure permits
  212. 164Certain premises providing amusements to close at certain hours
  213. 165Appeals in relation to pleasure permits
  214. 166Offences in connection with pleasure permits
  215. 167Cancellation of pleasure permit by a court
  216. Newspaper and other competitions
  217. 168Prize competitions
  218. Part VI: MISCELLANEOUS
  220. 169Cheating
  221. 170Gaming and wagering contracts void Repealed
  222. 171Securities in connection with gaming and wagering illegal Repealed
  223. Charges by Department
  224. 172Charges for licences and certificates
  225. Change of directors of body corporate
  226. 173Notification of change of directors, etc., of a body corporate
  227. Registers and proof of licences, etc.
  228. 174Register of licences, certificates and permits
  229. 175Register of clubs
  230. 176Inspection of registers
  231. 177Returns to Department
  232. 178Registers to be evidence
  233. 179Proof of licences, etc.
  234. Inspection and rights of entry
  235. 180Provision for inspection and rights of entry
  236. Code of practice
  237. 180A⁠Code of practice
  238. Legal proceedings
  239. 181Prosecution and punishment of offences
  240. 182Forfeiture of gaming machines as statutory consequence of conviction
  241. 183Forfeiture on order of court
  242. 184Appeals
  243. 185Procedure in connection with revocation, cancellation and disqualification
  244. Supplemental
  245. 186Orders and regulations
  246. 187Modifications of Schedules, amendments, transitional provisions and repeals
  247. Schedule 1: APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANT OF BOOKMAKERS' LICENCES
  248. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  249. 2Paragraph 2
  250. 3Paragraph 3
  251. 4Paragraph 4
  252. 5Paragraph 5
  253. 6Paragraph 6
  254. Schedule 2: APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANT OF BOOKMAKING OFFICE LICENCES
  255. Part I: GRANT OF BOOKMAKING OFFICE LICENCES
  256. 1Paragraph 1
  257. 2Paragraph 2
  258. 3Paragraph 3
  259. 4Paragraph 4
  260. 5Paragraph 5
  261. Part II: PROVISIONAL GRANT OF BOOKMAKING OFFICE LICENCES
  262. 6Paragraph 6
  263. Part III: APPLICATIONS TO HAVE PROVISIONAL GRANT OF BOOKMAKING OFFICE LICENCES DECLARED FINAL
  264. 7Paragraph 7
  265. 8Paragraph 8
  266. 9Paragraph 9
  267. Schedule 3: APPLICATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF BOOKMAKERS' LICENCES
  268. Part I: GENERAL PROCEDURE
  269. 1Paragraph 1
  270. 2Paragraph 2
  271. 3Paragraph 3
  272. 4Paragraph 4
  273. 5Paragraph 5
  274. 6Paragraph 6
  275. 7Paragraph 7
  276. Part II: PROCEDURE FOR RENEWALS OUT OF TIME
  277. 8Paragraph 8
  278. Schedule 4: APPLICATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF BOOKMAKING OFFICE LICENCES
  279. Part I: GENERAL PROCEDURE
  280. 1Paragraph 1
  281. 2Paragraph 2
  282. 3Paragraph 3
  283. 4Paragraph 4
  284. 5Paragraph 5
  285. 6Paragraph 6
  286. 7Paragraph 7
  287. Part II: PROCEDURE FOR RENEWALS OUT OF TIME
  288. 8Paragraph 8
  289. 9Paragraph 9
  290. Schedule 5: APPLICATIONS FOR THE TRANSFER OF BOOKMAKING OFFICE LICENCES
  291. Part I: TRANSFER OF BOOKMAKING OFFICE LICENCES
  292. 1Paragraph 1
  293. 2Paragraph 2
  294. 3Paragraph 3
  295. 4Paragraph 4
  296. 5Paragraph 5
  297. 6Paragraph 6
  298. Part II: TRANSFER OF BOOKMAKING OFFICE LICENCES PROVISIONALLY GRANTED
  299. 7Paragraph 7
  300. Schedule 6: APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATIONS OF TEMPORARY CONTINUANCE OF BUSINESS
  301. 1Paragraph 1
  302. 2Paragraph 2
  303. 3Paragraph 3
  304. Schedule 7: APPLICATIONS FOR THE REVOCATION OF LICENCES AND CERTIFICATES
  305. 1Paragraph 1
  306. 2Paragraph 2
  307. 3Paragraph 3
  308. 4Paragraph 4
  309. 5Paragraph 5
  310. Schedule 8: TOTALISATORS ON LICENSED TRACKS
  311. 1Paragraph 1
  312. 2Paragraph 2
  313. 3Paragraph 3
  314. 4Paragraph 4
  315. 5Paragraph 5
  316. 6Paragraph 6
  317. 7Paragraph 7
  318. 8Paragraph 8
  319. 9Paragraph 9
  320. 10Paragraph 10
  321. 11Paragraph 11
  322. 12Paragraph 12
  323. 13Paragraph 13
  324. 14Paragraph 14
  325. 15Paragraph 15
  326. 16Paragraph 16
  327. Schedule 8A: RIGHTS OF BETTING WORKERS AS RESPECTS SUNDAY WORKING
  328. Part
  329. Chapter: Interpretation
  330. 1Paragraph 1
  331. Chapter: Protected betting workers
  332. 2Paragraph 2
  333. Chapter: Contractual requirements relating to Sunday work
  334. 3Paragraph 3
  335. Chapter: Contracts with guaranteed hours
  336. 4Paragraph 4
  337. Chapter: Reduction of pay, etc.
  338. 5Paragraph 5
  339. Chapter: Notice of objection to Sunday working
  340. 6Paragraph 6
  341. Chapter: Meaning of “opted-out betting worker”
  342. 7Paragraph 7
  343. Chapter: Explanatory statement
  344. 8Paragraph 8
  345. Chapter: Contractual requirements relating to Sunday work
  346. 9Paragraph 9
  347. Chapter: Right not to suffer detriment for refusing Sunday work
  348. 10Paragraph 10
  349. Chapter: Right not to be dismissed for refusing Sunday work
  350. 11Paragraph 11
  351. 12Paragraph 12
  352. 13Paragraph 13
  353. Chapter: Restrictions on contracting out of Schedule
  354. 14Paragraph 14
  355. Chapter: Dismissal on grounds of assertion of statutory right
  356. 15Paragraph 15
  357. Chapter: Power to confer rights on individuals
  358. 16Paragraph 16
  359. Schedule 9: APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANT OF BINGO CLUB LICENCES
  360. Part I: GRANT OF BINGO CLUB LICENCES
  361. 1Paragraph 1
  362. 2Paragraph 2
  363. 3Paragraph 3
  364. 4Paragraph 4
  365. 5Paragraph 5
  366. Part II: PROVISIONAL GRANT OF BINGO CLUB LICENCES
  367. 6Paragraph 6
  368. Part III: APPLICATIONS TO HAVE PROVISIONAL GRANT OF BINGO CLUB LICENCES DECLARED FINAL
  369. 7Paragraph 7
  370. 8Paragraph 8
  371. 9Paragraph 9
  372. Schedule 10: APPLICATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF BINGO CLUB LICENCES
  373. Part I: GENERAL PROCEDURE
  374. 1Paragraph 1
  375. 2Paragraph 2
  376. 3Paragraph 3
  377. 4Paragraph 4
  378. 5Paragraph 5
  379. 6Paragraph 6
  380. 7Paragraph 7
  381. Part II: PROCEDURE FOR RENEWAL OUT OF TIME
  382. 8Paragraph 8
  383. Schedule 11: APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANT OF GAMING MACHINE CERTIFICATES AND GAMING MACHINE PERMITS
  384. Part I: GAMING MACHINE CERTIFICATES
  385. 1Paragraph 1
  386. 2Paragraph 2
  387. 3Paragraph 3
  388. 4Paragraph 4
  389. 5Paragraph 5
  390. Part II: GAMING MACHINE PERMITS
  391. 6Paragraph 6
  392. Schedule 12: APPLICATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF GAMING MACHINE CERTIFICATES
  393. Part I: GENERAL PROCEDURE
  394. 1Paragraph 1
  395. 2Paragraph 2
  396. 3Paragraph 3
  397. 4Paragraph 4
  398. 5Paragraph 5
  399. 6Paragraph 6
  400. 7Paragraph 7
  401. Part II: PROCEDURE FOR RENEWALS OUT OF TIME
  402. 8Paragraph 8
  403. Schedule 13: APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF CLUBS
  404. 1Paragraph 1
  405. 2Paragraph 2
  406. 3Paragraph 3
  407. 4Paragraph 4
  408. Schedule 14: APPLICATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION OF CLUBS
  409. Part I: GENERAL PROCEDURE
  410. 1Paragraph 1
  411. 2Paragraph 2
  412. 3Paragraph 3
  413. 4Paragraph 4
  414. 5Paragraph 5
  415. Part II: PROCEDURE FOR RENEWALS OUT OF TIME
  416. 6Paragraph 6
  417. Schedule 15: RIGHTS OF LANDLORD WHERE TENANT CONVICTED OF PERMITTING USE OF PREMISES FOR GAMING
  418. 1Paragraph 1
  419. 2Paragraph 2
  420. 3Paragraph 3
  421. 4Paragraph 4
  422. Paragraph
  423. 6Paragraph 6
  424. Schedule 15A: Lotteries and competitions: requirement to pay in order to participate
  425. Introduction
  426. 1Paragraph 1
  427. Meaning of payment
  428. 2Paragraph 2
  429. 3Paragraph 3
  430. 4Paragraph 4
  431. Stamps, telephone calls, etc.
  432. 5Paragraph 5
  433. Payment to discover whether prize won
  434. 6Paragraph 6
  435. Payment to claim prize
  436. 7Paragraph 7
  437. Choice of free entry
  438. 8Paragraph 8
  439. Power to make regulations
  440. 9Paragraph 9
  441. Schedule 16: APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANT OF LOTTERY CERTIFICATES
  442. 1Paragraph 1
  443. 2Paragraph 2
  444. 3Paragraph 3
  445. 4Paragraph 4
  446. Schedule 17: APPLICATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF LOTTERY CERTIFICATES
  447. Part I: GENERAL PROCEDURE
  448. 1Paragraph 1
  449. 2Paragraph 2
  450. 3Paragraph 3
  451. 4Paragraph 4
  452. 5Paragraph 5
  453. 6Paragraph 6
  454. Part II: PROCEDURE FOR RENEWALS OUT OF TIME
  455. 7Paragraph 7
  456. Schedule 18TABLE OF OFFENCES WITH MODE OF PROSECUTION AND PUNISHMENTS
  457. Schedule Schedule
  458. Schedule 20: TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
  459. Part: Existing licences
  460. 1Paragraph 1
  461. Part: Applications for certificates
  462. 2Paragraph 2
  463. Part: Renewals of bookmaking office licences
  464. 3Paragraph 3
  465. Part: Licensed bookmakers on certain tracks
  466. 4Paragraph 4
  467. Part: Registration of existing clubs
  468. 5Paragraph 5
  469. Part: Lotteries of Art Unions
  470. 6Paragraph 6
  471. Part: Saving
  472. 7Paragraph 7
  473. Part: Interpretation
  474. 8Paragraph 8
  475. Schedule Schedule