18 December 2006
HANSON CALLS FOR VIEWS ON SUNDAY BETTING AND GAMING
A paper setting out possible proposed changes to betting and gaming law in Northern Ireland was published for consultation today.
The changes, which include the relaxation of the restrictions on Sunday opening of bookmakers, would bring the local law closer in line with that of the rest of the United Kingdom.
Minister for Social Development David Hanson MP said: "The changes, which I emphasise are only proposals at this stage, focus mainly on the relaxation of the current prohibitions on the Sunday opening of bookmaking offices and bingo and other gaming in commercial bingo clubs on Sundays.
"It is proposed that bookmaking offices should be allowed to open for business on Sundays, but only between 10.30 am and 6.30pm. Similarly, the Sunday hours for bingo and other gaming in commercial bingo clubs would be restricted to between 2pm and 11pm (and until midnight when the Sunday is New Year's Eve).
"Some betting and bingo club workers may not wish to work on a Sunday. I am, therefore, grateful that Maria Eagle MP, Minister with responsibility for Employment and Learning, has agreed that any relaxation of these Sunday restrictions would be accompanied by important new employment rights for such workers."
Minister Hanson is calling for wide-spread feedback on the proposals. He said: "I wish to ensure that all those interested will have an opportunity to comment and I encourage them to do so. I am inviting comments from a wide spectrum of opinion to ensure any decisions taken are well-informed on all of the issues highlighted in the consultation period."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The consultation paper seeks comments on proposed changes to the Northern Ireland law on betting and gaming, the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. The consultation will end on 26 March 2007.
2. The proposals are to:
3. If it is decided to remove the above Sunday restrictions, new employment rights will be provided for betting workers in bookmaking offices and bingo club workers (the responsibility of the Department for Employment and Learning). The rights will protect affected workers against dismissal, redundancy or detriment (such as denial of overtime, promotion or training opportunities) if they do not wish to work on a Sunday.
- remove the prohibition on the opening of bookmaking offices on Sundays (other than Christmas Day); the prohibition on opening on Christmas Day and Good Friday would be retained;
restrict the Sunday opening hours of bookmaking offices to 10.30am - 6.30pm;
- remove the prohibitions on the provision of bingo, gaming for prizes and gaming by way of gaming machines in commercial bingo clubs on Sundays (other than Christmas Day); the prohibitions applying to Christmas Day and Good Friday would be retained;
restrict the Sunday hours for these activities in commercial bingo clubs to 2pm - 11pm (midnight where the Sunday is New Year's Eve);
- extend the payment methods for stakes and prizes permitted for certain gaming machines (currently coins only); and
- allow any premises to be used for the paying out of football pools winnings in addition to the existing lawful pools activities; and, for future protection and flexibility, provide the Department with power to remove the pools concessions for particular types of premises and power to extend the sports on which pools competitions can be retailed through premises in Northern Ireland.
4. Media queries to: Information Office, DSD, Tel: (028) 9082 9078.
5. The consultation paper is available at "Consultations" on the DSD website, www.dsdni.gov.uk. It is also available from:
Department for Social Development
Social Policy Unit
Level 1, James House
Gasworks Business Park
Ormeau Road
Belfast BT7 2JATel: (028) 9081 9144
Fax: (028) 9081 9147
Textphone: (028) 9081 9148
Email: social.policy@dsdni.gov.uk
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