The Gambling Act 2005 has introduced a completely new regime for the regulation of gambling, including casino gaming. The new Act also restricts the numbers of new casino licences, at least initially, to eight small, eight large and one ‘super’ or regional casino. The proposal for the introduction of a super casino and the choice of Manchester as its location has, as is well known, proved so controversial that it has been shelved, at any rate for the time being.
These restrictions galvanised a number of current and aspiring casino operators into making applications for new casino licences under the old Act, the Gaming Act 1968, under the transitional provisions which filled the gap between the passing and the full implementation of the new Act.
