Gaming Act 1968

Grounds for refusal to register or to renew registration

7 (1) The licensing authority shall refuse to register or to renew the registration of a club under Part II of this Act if it appears to the authority that the club—

(a) is not a bona fide members' club, or

(b) has less than twenty-five members, or

(c) is of a merely temporary character.

(2) Without prejudice to the preceding sub-paragraph, the licensing authority shall refuse to register a club or to renew the registration of a club under Part II of this Act if it appears to the authority that the principal purpose for which the club is established or conducted is gaming, unless the authority are satisfied that the gaming in question consists exclusively of playing bridge or whist, or both bridge and whist.

8 The licensing authority may refuse to register a club or institute under Part II of this Act where the club or institute has previously been so registered and either—

(a) its registration has been cancelled, or

(b) an application for renewal of that registration has been refused.

9 The licensing authority may refuse to renew the registration of a club or institute under Part II of this Act on any one or more of the following grounds, in addition to those specified in paragraph 7 of this Schedule, that is to say—

(a) that a person has been convicted of an offence under this Act in respect of a contravention, in connection with the relevant premises, of any of the provisions of this Act or of any regulations made thereunder ;

(b) that, while the club or institute has been registered under Part II of this Act, the relevant premises have not been so conducted as to prevent disturbance or disorder;

(c) that, while the club or institute has been so registered, gaming on the relevant premises has been dishonestly conducted ;

(d) that, while the club or institute has been so registered, the relevant premises have been used for an unlawful purpose or as a resort of criminals or prostitutes ;

(e) that any duty payable in respect of the premises under section 13 or section 14 of the [1966 c. 18.] Finance Act 1966 remains unpaid.

10 The licensing authority shall refuse to renew the registration of a club under Part II of this Act if they are satisfied that, while the club has been registered thereunder, the relevant premises have been habitually used for an unlawful purpose or as a resort of criminals or prostitutes.