The Team have followed with interest the new gaming law from the Budd Report to the Gambling Act 2005 – and are now providing tailor made solutions for preservation of “grandfather” rights.

The development of remote gambling will provide mutual challenges for our Gambling Unit and clients over the coming years.

Advocacy is a particular strength within the Licensing & Gambling Team whose members regularly represent our clients’ interests before Licensing Committees (Local Authority and Magistrates' Courts). The Partnership approach of this team will be crucial in presenting new applications under the Gambling Act 2005 to Licensing Authorities nationwide. Cobbetts is rated by Chambers & Partners 2005 as “still the leading Licensing firm in the North West” consistently delivering “sound and realistic advice”.

We provide pragmatic advice on all aspects of betting, gaming and lottery matters. This includes bespoke drafting of commercial agreements with betting, gaming and lottery aspects and terms and conditions/terms of entry for clients. Recent work has also included advising on the legality of games for leading retail operators so as to avoid the creation of illegal lotteries. The firm also has extensive expertise in advertising law, which obviously impacts on this sector in a specific way.

Areas Covered Include:

• Betting
• Gaming
• Lotteries
• Prize Competitions
• Alcohol and entertainment
• Bespoke drafting of commercial agreements incorporating these areas.

Recent Examples of Work:

• Advising on all aspects of Gambling Act 2005
• Successfully obtaining licensed betting offices for independent Bookmakers despite significant opposition by the Big Four
• Obtaining Permits for adult and family entertainment centres.
• Drafting games development agreements.
• Drafting agreements for national newspapers for promotion of pool betting/prize competitions and revenue sharing
• Advice re collaboration with lottery operator.
• Advising many national retail organisations on a variety of prize competitions.
• Advice on agreement for betting services on horse racing interactive TV channel.
• Advice on formation and operation of reverse auctions.