§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce stricter penalties for illegal betting.
§ Mr. WhitelawNo. The current penalties available under section 2 of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 for the offence of acting as a bookmaker without a permit are as follows:
- (a) on summary conviction: a fine not exceeding £1,000, or on second or subsequent conviction up to three months imprisonment or a fine not exceeding £1,000 or both; the Criminal Justice Act 1982 will make imprisonment available for any conviction, not just the second or subsequent conviction.
- (b) on conviction on indictment: an unlimited fine, or on second or subsequent conviction up to one year's imprisonment or an unlimited fine or both.