SCOTTISH local authorities – charged with administering gambling licensing in Scotland – have significant gaps in their knowledge of gambling law, according to one of the country’s leading experts.
Stephen McGowan, adDirector in the market-leading licensing and gambling team at law firm, Lindsays, believes that high demands caused by changes to alcohol licensing have attracted all of the focus of local licensing boards – leading to difficulties in grasping issues facing the gambling industry.
Mr McGowan has organised a free gambling law seminar, and, as well as talking himself, he has also arranged for a senior policy maker at the Gambling Commission – the body which regulates gambling in the UK – to speak at the event in Lindsays’ Edinburgh office on 6 March 2012.
Rob Burkitt, policy development manager, will update the audience on how the Commission is dealing with Scottish issues and concerns.
Stephen said: “I am delighted that Rob has taken up our invite to come up to Scotland to speak with operators and stakeholders.
“The Commission have been taking steps to increase awareness and understanding of gambling law in Scotland and this is another good example of that progress.”
The seminar – entitled, ‘Gambling Law in Scotland – the Undiscovered Country?’ – will update delegates on a number of key areas of change in gambling law, including the current Select Committee review of the Gambling Act 2005, the reinstatement of the ‘triennial review’ of stakes and prizes, a focus on the developing ‘split premises’ issues, and finally will examine the difficulties over enforcement of gambling premises in Scotland, and the level of training for local authorities tasked to administer gambling premises.
Mr McGowan, who has authored three books on gambling law in Scotland and is considered the only solicitor in Scotland to have delivered training to local authorities on gambling, added: “Gambling law has been neglected at a local level for some time due to demands arising from alcohol legislation, and there are still considerable knowledge gaps.
“Lindsays are delighted to work with the Gambling Commission to help redress the balance.”
Attendance at the seminar is free, but places are limited.
To guarantee your spot, please email lindabrown@lindsays.co.uk.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Benchmark PR. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: David Forsyth
Phone: 07887 955778
Email: david@benchmarkpr.co.uk
Website: http://www.
