Friday 28 August 2009

CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE OVER GAMING MACHINES

A Margate man has been given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £120 costs, after pleading guilty to having gaming machines with no licence on his premises.

Margate Magistrates Court were told that the machines were found by licensing officers at Papps Fish Bar in Belgrave Road, Margate, after the permit to have them had expired. Zacharias Pavlou (72) of Belgrave Road, Margate was originally issued with a permit, valid for three years, in June 2006.

The Gambling Act 2005 came into force in September 2007 and, under these new regulations, small restaurants and takeaways that do not supply alcohol, were prevented from having gaming machines. It would not be possible to renew permits issued prior to the introduction of the new Act.

The permit for Papps Fish Bar expired on 21 May 2009 and on 3 June 2009, an officer from the council's licensing team visited the premises and explained the change in the law and that the machines should be switched off and removed from the premises.

A further conversation was held with Mr. Pavlou to explain the situation and another visit was made to the premises on 25 June 2009, where officers found the machines still installed and working. Since that visit, the machines have been removed from the shop.

Cllr. John Kirby, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services & Ramsgate Marina, said: "It's a shame that we had to take action in this case, particularly as the machines have now been removed from the premises. The Gambling Act 2005 did bring a number of changes and this is one that affected small restaurants and takeaways that didn't sell alcohol. Our licensing team does an excellent job of communicating these changes and will always help people to try and understand the changes in the law and the implications for their businesses."

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