- Application for Permits
Application for Permits
Permits are required when premises provide a gambling facility but either the stakes and prizes are very low or gambling is not the main function of the premises. The permits regulate gambling and the use of gaming (fruit machines) in specific premises.
Licensed premises must notify the Licensing Team if they intend to exercise their automatic entitlement to two gaming machines of category C or D in their premises.
Holders of licensed premises gaming machine permits and club permits will be required to comply with the codes of practice drawn up by the gambling Commission. These codes of practice provide information on the location and operation of gaming machines.
View the Categories of Gaming Machines (Opens in a New Window)
View the Codes of Practice for Gaming Machines (.pdf) (54.5KB) (Opens in a New Window)
Find out more about specific permits:
- Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permits
- Club Gaming and Club Machine Permits
- Prize Gaming Permits
- Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centre Permits
Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permits
Following the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005 gaming machines in places licensed to sell alcohol are dealt with under this act. One application form covers all types of applications.
For premises that have up to two Category C or D gaming machines there is an automatic entitlement to those machines and the procedure is a simple notification to the licensing authority when the existing Section 34 permit expires. This notification is not transferable and if a premises licence is transferred then a new notification must be made in the current holder's name.
For those licensed premises that require more than two Category C or D machines they will need to apply for the required number of machines when their existing Section 34 permit expires but charges are made for the application together with an annual fee.
Permits have no expiry date and will continue in force for so long as the premises continues to have an alcohol licence and the holder of the permit continues to hold that licence.
Find out more about Application Fees
Find out more about Appeals and Complaints
Club Gaming Permits and Club Machine Permits
Apply for a Club Gaming or Club Machine Permit (.docx) (88KB) (Opens in a New Window)
A club gaming permit is issued to members' clubs and miners' welfare institutes (but not commercial clubs) that already offer gaming machines under Part II of the Gaming Act 1968. This permit entitles the club to up to three Category B3A, B4, C or D machines, equal chance gaming subject to certain limits and games of chance such as pontoon and chemin de fer. This is in addition to the exempt gaming authorisation under section 269 of the act.
A club machine permit is issued to members' clubs, miners' welfare institutes and commercial clubs that already offer gaming machines under Part III of the Gaming Act 1968. This permit entitles the club to up to three Category B3A, B4, C or D machines if it does not wish to have the full range of facilities permitted by a club gaming permit.
For premises that currently hold Part II and III registrations there is a fast track procedure available when their current permit expires. Club gaming and club machine permits are both valid for ten years.
Find out more about Application Fees
Find out more about Appeals and Complaints
Prize Gaming Permits
Apply for a Prize Gaming Permit (.docx) (176KB) (Opens in a New Window)
Prize gaming is gaming where the nature and size of the prize is not determined by the number of people playing or the amount paid for or raised by the gaming. The prize for which the game is played must not exceed the amount set out in regulations (if a money prize), or the prescribed value (if non-monetary). It is, therefore, gaming where the organiser puts up the prizes in advance, as distinct from gaming where the stakes of the participants make up the winnings
A prize gaming permit is issued by the licensing authority to authorise the provision of facilities for gaming with prizes on specified premises. Prize gaming is intended to permit low level gaming for small participation fees and modest prizes. Bingo played at seaside amusement arcades, airports and motorway service areas that cater for families with young children is typical of this type of gaming. It can only be permitted on premises that offer Category D gaming machines.
Permits are valid for 10 years and there is no annual fee.
Find out more about Application Fees
Find out more about Appeals and Complaints
Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centre Permits
Apply for an Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centre Permit (.docx) (174KB) (Opens in a New Window)
These permits are issued to premises which are mainly used by families, young people and unaccompanied children to play on gaming machines, such as small arcades in holiday parks, theme parks and seaside resorts. By holding a UFEC permit a premises will only be able to operate Category D machines.
If the Family Entertainment Centre permit holder decides that they want to have Category C machines, in addition to Category D machines, they will have to apply for an Operating Licence from the Gambling Commission and then a gambling premises licence from the Council. A person will not be able to have both a FEC permit and a gambling premises licence and so will have to make a choice over which machines they want to make available at their premises.
Permits are valid for 10 years and there is no annual fee.
Find out more about Application Fees