The UKGC has managed to win a significant legal victory on May 30, that will upgrade the Commission's authority within the United Kingdom. According to a recent court ruling, they will be able to reject licensing applications from any operators that are deemed inconsistent with the UKCG's objectives.
Court of Appeals Side with UKGC
It all started when Greene King, one of Britain's largest bingo retail operators, had their licence refused from UKGC, on grounds of "undermining the licensing authority's objectives".
Green King legally challenged the decision and claimed that they had satisfied the Commission's required conditions. The initial ruling went in favor of Green King, however, the case was referred to the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal supported the UKGC's view and ruled that the Commission will hereafter be entitled to refuse any licensing applications that are inconsistent with the licencing objectives.
The decision was welcomed by the UKGC who went on to publish the following statement: "We welcome the Upper Tribunal’s decision, which clarifies the Commission’s powers. In our view commercial betting, gaming and bingo and any associated high stakes and prize machines, should only be provided in separate premises licensed for that specific purpose – premises that adults make a deliberate choice to visit in order to gamble.”