The act gives its objectives as Some provisions of the bill faced controversy, particularly in its original form, where it would have allowed eight so-called "super casinos" to be set up.

[2] Despite a lengthy bidding process, with Manchester being chosen as the single planned location, the development was cancelled soon after Gordon Brown became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

One of the biggest changes was the removal of the "debt of honour" exemption which stopped people from taking legal action over unpaid winnings (which had been law since the Gaming Act 1845).

Under the 2005 act's section 335 "Enforceability of gambling contracts", punters were now able to take legal action over unpaid winnings in a court of law.

The act, together with regulations and specifications developed by the Gambling Commission, define and in some cases redefine, categories of gaming machines and where they are allowed to be placed.