What type of premises need a permit?

Unlicensed family entertainment centres

Typically, these are premises where people can play on gaming machines, such as small arcades in holiday parks. They must have a family entertainment centre gaming machine permit, which runs for 10 years with no annual fee.

If you want to make Category C machines available in a family entertainment centre, in addition to category D machines, you’ll also need to apply for:

• an operating licence from the Gambling Commission
• and then a premises licence from us

Alcohol licensed premises

This applies to premises with a licence to sell alcohol on the premises. You can have any number of machines, but you must specify the number you are applying for. Your permit will not expire unless the premises licence changes.

Two machines or less

You have an automatic entitlement of up to two category C or D machines without requiring a permit. However, you must complete an application for a gaming machine notification and permit in licensed premises.

Three or more machines

If you want to install more than two category C or D machines on licensed premises, the licence holder must apply for an alcohol licensed premises gaming machine permit. If granted, this permit will replace the automatic entitlement of up to two machines.

Premises offering commercial prize gaming

This is low-stake prize gaming, where the size of the prize is not determined by:

• the number of people playing
• the amount paid for, or raised by, the gaming

The prize can be a cash or non-cash prize.

You can’t apply for a prize gaming permit if you hold a premises licence and/or a club gaming permit. Prize gaming permits do not permit the use of gaming machines. The permit will be in effect for 10 years. There is no annual fee to be paid.

Various forms of prize gaming are permitted by other permits and premises licences issued under the Gambling Act 2005. The following premises are authorised to offer prize gaming, subject to certain conditions, and do not require a separate prize gaming permit:

• holders of adult gaming centre premises licences
• holders of family entertainment centre premises licences
• holders of family entertainment centre gaming machine permits
• travelling fairs
• bingo halls

Clubs (commercial and non-commercial)

If you want to offer gaming or gaming machines to members of a club, two kinds of club permit can be issued under the Gambling Act 2005. These permits are covered by a code of practice issued by the Gambling Commission.

Club gaming permit

We can grant club gaming permits to members’ clubs and miners’ welfare institutes (but not to commercial clubs). They authorise the use of up to three category B3A, B4, C or D gaming machines (three machines in total). They also authorise equal chance gaming and games of chance, as described in the regulations. The permit will last for 10 years and may be renewed, with an annual fee of £50.

Club machine permit

A club machine permit is for members’ clubs, miners’ welfare institutes and commercial clubs. It is for clubs that don’t want a club gaming permit but do want up to three category B4 C or D gaming machines. The permit last 10 years and may then be renewed, with an annual fee of £50.