Gambling licences
Under the Gambling Act, the goals are:
- Stop gambling from causing crime, disorder, or supporting crime.
- Make sure gambling is fair and transparent.
- Protect children and vulnerable people from harm or exploitation through gambling.
Statement of Principles
This sets out how we propose to exercise our functions under the Act. It is reviewed every three years. The current document took effect on Monday 31 January 2022.
Gambling Act Statement of Principles
Types of licences
Gambling Commission issues:
- Personal licence: For individuals with key roles in the gambling business.
- Operator licence: For managing and conducting gambling activities.
Licensing Authority issues:
- Premises licence: For locations where gambling happens, such as betting shops, race tracks, bingo halls, adult gaming centres, and family entertainment centres.
An annual fee is required for these licences.
You can apply to change the licence (variation application) or transfer it to another person or organisation, both of which also require a fee.
Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centre
These are often found at seaside resorts for families and can have unlimited Category D gaming machines.
Prize Gaming
For places without a premises licence or club gaming permit. Prize gaming is where the prize isn't based on the number of players or money raised.
Fees for Permits
Prize Gaming Permit & Family Entertainment Centre Gaming Machine Permit:
- New application: £300
- Application (Existing Operator): £100
- Renewal: £300
- Change of name: £25
- Copy of permit: £15
Club Machine Permit:
- Allows up to 3 gaming machines. Members' clubs (e.g., Royal British Legion) can have categories B3A, B4, C, or D, but only one B3A by agreement. Commercial clubs (e.g., snooker clubs) can have categories B4, C, or D.
Club Gaming Permit:
- Allows up to 3 gaming machines from categories B3A, B4, C, or D, but only one B3A by agreement. It also allows equal chance games (like poker) and games of chance (like pontoon).
Fees for Club Gaming or Machine Permit:
- New application: £200
- Application (Existing Operator): £100
- Application (with Club Premises Certificate under LA2003): £100
- Renewal: £200
- Renewal (with Club Premises Certificate under LA2003): £100
- Application (Vary): £100
- Copy of permit: £15
- Annual fee: £50
Automatic Entitlement for Alcohol licenced Premises
Pubs and places with an alcohol licence can have 2 Category C or D gaming machines by notifying the licensing authority. This notification is not transferable and needs to be updated if the premises licence holder changes.
Fee for Notification:
- £50 for up to 2 gaming machines
Alcohol licenced Premises Gaming Machine Permits
The licensing authority can issue permits for more than 2 Category C and D gaming machines, replacing automatic entitlement.
Fee for More Than 2 Machines:
- Existing permit holder: £100
- New application: £150 (plus £50 annual fee)
- Application (Vary): £100
- Application (Transfer): £25
- Change of name: £25
- Copy of permit: £15
- Annual fee: £50
Permits cannot be issued for vehicles or boats.
Occasional Use Notices (OUN)
These allow licenced betting on events like race nights and point-to-point races. OUNs must be submitted in advance to the licensing authority and to the Chief Officer of police for the venue location and are limited to 8 days per year per venue. The person running the betting must have a Gambling Commission Operating licence (must be a licenced bookmaker).
There is no fee for an OUN.
Responsible authorities contacts