Gambling licences

The Gambling Act 2005 requires that any premise wishing to provide facilities for gambling activities will need to apply to the Licensing Authority for a Premises Licence.

An application for a premises licence may only be made by persons (which includes companies or partnerships) who have the right to occupy the premises and who have an operating licence to carry out the proposed activity. An applicant must be over the age of 18.

The authority is responsible for granting premises licences for the following:

• casino
• bingo
• betting office
• track betting
• adult gaming centre
• family entertainment centre.

Premises that held a licence under the Gaming Act 1968 were eligible to be granted a premise licence under 'Grandfathering' arrangements.

All premises have conditions attached to their licence these are mandatory conditions - those that must be attached to the premise and default conditions - those that will apply unless the licensing authority chooses to exclude them.

The licensing authority has the power to impose conditions on new licences issued under the Act. Any additional conditions must be proportionate to the circumstances they are seeking to address, and any decisions on individual conditions must be on a case-by-case basis.

Under the Act there are restrictions on the number and type of gaming machines that are allowed on gambling premises.

The premise licence stays in effect indefinitely unless the licence is surrendered or revoked.

A first annual fee is due within 30 days following grant of the licence. The annual fee will then be due to be paid to the licensing authority before the anniversary of the grant of the licence.

Additional fact sheets from DCMS.