Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Industry levy

15.—(1) After Article 172 of the 1985 Order insert—

“Industry levy

172A⁠.— (1) The Department may make regulations for, or in connection with, requiring every person who intends to make an application to which this Article applies to pay a levy to the Department.

(2) This Article applies to an application—

(a) for the grant or renewal of a bookmaker’s licence;

(b) for the grant or renewal of a bookmaking office licence or to have the provisional grant of a bookmaking office licence declared final;

(c) for the grant or renewal of a bingo club licence or to have the provisional grant of a bingo club licence declared final;

(d) for the grant or renewal of a gaming machine certificate or permit;

(e) for the grant or renewal of an amusement permit or to have the provisional grant of an amusement permit declared final.

(3) Regulations under paragraph (1) must make provision for the amount of the levy, its payment and general administration and may, in particular—

(a) make provision for the determination of the amount of the levy according to a specified formula or in some other way;

(b) make provision requiring the Department to issue a receipt in respect of payment of the levy in relation to an application and for ensuring that the application does not proceed unless it is accompanied by the relevant receipt;

(c) make provision for the repayment of levy to an applicant whose application is refused;

(d) make such modifications of this Order as are necessary or expedient to give full effect to the levy.

(4) The proceeds of a levy are to be expended by the Department in providing financial assistance for projects related to—

(a) addiction to gambling; or

(b) other forms of harm or exploitation associated with gambling.

(5) Financial assistance under paragraph (4)—

(a) may be provided by grants, loans or any other form of financial assistance;

(b) may be made or given on terms or conditions (which may include terms and conditions as to repayment with or without interest);

(c) requires the consent of the Department of Finance.

(6) Before making any regulations under this Article the Department must consult such organisations as appear to the Department to represent the interests of—

(a) persons who have suffered from, or been affected by, addiction to gambling or other forms of harm or exploitation associated with gambling;

(b) persons who have experience or knowledge of issues relating to such addiction, harm or exploitation; and

(c) the gambling industry in Northern Ireland.

(7) In this Article “gambling” means betting, gaming or participating in a lottery.”.

(2) In Article 186 of the 1985 Order (orders and regulations)—

(a) after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A) No regulations may be made under Article 172A unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.”;

(b) in paragraph (4) for “paragraph (3)” substitute “paragraphs (3) and (3A)”.