Information about different permits and what they permit
Clubs
There are three types of clubs that are dealt with under the Gambling Act:
- Miner's welfare (MW) institutes
- Commercial clubs
- Member's clubs
All three clubs are exempt from both operating and premises licence however, they must follow certain conditions to enjoy this. Also, any of these clubs can apply for either a Club Gaming Permit or Club Gaming Machine Permit if they wish to provide gaming machines and/or gaming for members.
Club Gaming permit
A Club Gaming Permit is a permit issued by us that may be granted to a members' clubs or MW institute. It allows the club to offer:
- three gaming machines of Category 'B4', 'C' or 'D'
- unlimited equal chance gaming
- the playing of certain games of chance (pontoon and chemin de fer) with conditions
Club Gaming Machine permit
A club gaming machine permit is a permit issued by us that may be granted to a members' club, commercial clubs and MW institutes. It allows the club to offer:
- three gaming machines of Category 'B4', 'C' or 'D'
- equal chance gaming with restrictions
If you wish to apply for either a Club Gaming Permit or a Club Gaming Machine Permit, please fill in this application. You should tick the correct box for which Permit is applicable.
Alcohol licensed premises (including pubs)
Gaming machines of category C or D
Gaming machines of category 'C' or 'D' may be offered in premises which are licensed under the Licensing Act for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises. To grant a gaming machine, the premises must not have a condition on the license which restricts the supply of alcohol with food. The machines can only be provided when the bar is open.
For more information on gaming machine categories please see our gaming machines page.
Up to two gaming machines
Alcohol licensed premises have an automatic entitlement to provide up to two gaming machines of Category 'C' or 'D' subject to a simple notification. The fee is currently £50 for this.
The automatic entitlement is linked to the Licensing Act premises licence and will expire on transfer or if the premises licenses cease to exist.
To apply online for a notification of 2 or less gaming machines you'll need:
- A debit or credit card for the fee
Apply for a notification of 2 or less gaming machines permit
More than two gaming machines
Alcohol licensed premises that want to offer more than two gaming machines of Category 'C' or 'D' may apply for a licensed premises gaming machine permit. The fee is currently £150 and attracts a £50 annual fee.
The Licensed Premises Gaming Machines permit is also linked to the Licensing Act premises licence but can be transferred on change of license holder.
To apply online for a licensed premises gaming machine permit you'll need:
- A debit or credit card for the fee
Family Entertainment Centre Gaming Machine permit
Premises with this permit are also known as an 'unlicensed family entertainment centres (UFEC)'. An UFEC can only supply Category D machines because they have a low pay-out. Due to the low pay-out, it means that there are no restrictions on children using the arcade.
If you wish to apply please complete our Family Entertainment Centre permit application form.
Prize Gaming permit
A Prize Gaming permit is a permit issued by us that allows gaming with prizes, for example bingo. In this regard, the 'prize(s)' are determined before play commences and should not change while playing. The 'prize(s)' are not reliant on the number of people playing nor the amount paid to play.
Exemptions
There are premises that are exempt from needing a Prize Gaming permit as long as they follow certain conditions, they are the following:
- Adult gaming centres
- Licensed family entertainment centre
- Premises with a family entertainment centre gaming machine permit/an unlicensed family entertainment centre
- Premises with a bingo premises licence
- Travelling fair
Holders of premises licences for adult gaming centres (AGC) or family entertainment centres (FEC) may offer prize gaming without a prize gaming permit.
If you wish to apply for a Prize Gaming Permit, please fill in this application.
Fees for permits
Fees in respect of permits issued by this authority are as followed:
| Classes of permits | Licensed Premiss Gaming Machines (Up to 2) |
Licensed Premises Gaming Machines (More than 2) |
Family Entertainment Centre permit | Prize Gaming | Club Gaming | Club Machine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New permit (Existing Operator) |
N/A | £100.00 | £100.00 | £100.00 | £100.00 | £100.00 |
| New permit | £50.00 | £150.00 | £300.00 | £300.00 | £200.00 | £200.00 |
| Renewal | N/A | N/A | £300.00 | £300.00 | £200.00 | £200.00 |
| Variation | N/A | £100.00 | N/A | N/A | £100.00 | £100.00 |
| Transfer | N/A | £25.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Annual fee | N/A | £50.00 | N/A | N/A | £50.00 | £50.00 |
| Change of name | N/A | £25.00 | £25.00 | £25.00 | N/A | N/A |
| Copy of permit | £15.00 | £15.00 | £15.00 | £15.00 | £15.00 | £15.00 |
(Note: The Borough currently has no Casinos or Tracks and will set an appropriate fee if required)
Further information
For further information on permits for certain premises, please look at the summary of gaming entitlements for clubs and alcohol licensed premises.