Finance Act 1970

9 (1) Subject to subsection (7) of the principal section, there is a contravention of subsection (8) of that section if on any occasion, after 30th September 1970, gaming takes place by way of any game to which the principal section for the time being applies unless a provider of the premises on which the gaming takes place is the holder of a gaming licence which is for the time being in force, and which is the appropriate licence having regard to—

(a) the rateable value of the hereditament consisting of or comprising the premises, and

(b) the number of gaming tables.

(2) If there is a contravention of the said subsection (8)—

(a) any provider of the premises and any person concerned in the organisation or management of the gaming shall each be liable—

(i) on summary conviction to a penalty of treble the amount of the duty on the appropriate gaming licence, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to both,

(ii) on conviction on indictment, to the like penalty, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both, and

(b) in addition and without prejudice to any liability under paragraph (a) above, unless and until the appropriate gaming licence in respect of those premises is taken out during the period of six months (beginning with 1st October or 1st April) in which the offence was committed, an amount equal to the duty on the appropriate gaming licence, together with interest thereon from the date of the offence, shall become due and recoverable as a debt due to the Crown jointly and severally from all or any of the persons liable under paragraph (a) above.

(3) Any gaming tables or other things which are being used, or are available or prepared for use, in connection with gaming in respect of which an offence is committed under this paragraph shall be liable to forfeiture.

(4) In this paragraph "provider", in relation to any premises used for gaming, means any person having a right to control the admission of persons to those premises, whether or not he also has a right to control the admission of persons to the gaming.