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

Renewal of bingo club licences by a court N.I.

68.—(1) On an application for the renewal of a bingo club licence a court of summary jurisdiction shall hear the objections, if any, made under Schedule 10.

(2) A court shall, subject to paragraph (3), refuse an application for the renewal of a bingo club licence unless it is satisfied—

(a) that the procedure relating to the application set out in Schedule 10 has been complied with; and

(b) that the applicant is a fit person to hold a bingo club licence; and

(c) that the applicant has not allowed the bingo club premises to be managed by, or gaming to be organised for the benefit of, a person other than the applicant who would himself be refused the grant of a bingo club licence; and

(d) F1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) A court may renew a bingo club licence notwithstanding that the procedure relating to the application set out in Schedule 10 has not been complied with if, having regard to the circumstances, it is reasonable to do so.

(4) A court may refuse an application for the renewal of a bingo club licence if it is satisfied—

(a) that the premises are not suitable for use as bingo club premises; or

(b) that, having regard to the manner in which gaming carried on in the bingo club premises has been conducted since the last previous renewal of the bingo club licence (or, where the renewal applied for is the first renewal of the licence, since the licence was granted), it is unlikely that, if the licence is renewed, gaming will be properly conducted; or

(c) that a person has been convicted of an offence in respect of a contravention, in connection with the bingo club premises, of any of the provisions of this Part, or of any regulations made under it; or

(d) that, since the last previous renewal of the licence (or, where the renewal applied for is the first renewal of the licence, since the licence was granted), the bingo club premises have been used for an unlawful purpose or as a resort of persons of known bad character.

(5) A court which renews a bingo club licence may—

(a) where the licence is not subject to any restrictions imposed under Article 63(8), impose such restrictions; or

(b) vary any restrictions imposed under sub-paragraph (a) or Article 63(8).

(6) A court which renews a bingo club licence, on the application of the holder of the licence—

(a) where a direction has not been given under Article 63(9) in respect of the bingo club premises, shall give such a direction; or

(b) shall cancel or may vary a direction given under sub-paragraph (a) or Article 63(9).

(7) Where the court refuses an application for the renewal of a bingo club licence or for the variation of a direction under paragraph (6) it shall specify in its order the reasons for its refusal.

(8) Where a court imposes or varies restrictions under paragraph (5) or gives, cancels or varies a direction under paragraph (6) the clerk of petty sessions shall note the restrictions, direction, cancellation or variation, as the case may require, on the bingo club licence.

F1 Art. 68(2)(d) repealed (15.11.2010) by Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1254 (N.I. 9)), arts. 1(3), 63(2), Sch. 4 (with art. 62); S.R. 2010/328, art. 2