1. Information about gaming permits
Overview
We issue five types of permits and one notification under the Gambling Act 2005. These are:
(Unlicensed) family entertainment centre (FEC) gaming machine permits
You can apply for an unlicensed FEC gaming machine permit if you want to run a centre catering for families (for example, amusement arcade) that doesn't have any higher category gaming machines. With this permit you can have an unlimited number of category D machines.
Club machine permits
You can apply for a club machine permit if you want to have gaming machines in a social club, miner's welfare institution or a commercial club. With this permit a members club can have up to 3 category B3A, B4, C or D machines (to include a maximum of 1 B3A machine) and a commercial club can have up to 3 category B4, C or D machines (but no B3A).
Club gaming permit
You can apply for a club gaming permit if you want to have both gaming machines and also equal chance gaming (for example, poker) and games of chance in a social club or miner's welfare institution (commercial clubs can't hold a club gaming permit). With this permit you can have up to 3 category B3A B4, C or D machines (to include a maximum of 1 B3A machine) and prize gaming.
Alcohol licensed premises gaming machine permits
You can apply for a permit If your premises is licensed (under the Licensing Act 2003) to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises and you want to have more than 2 category C or D gaming machines. To be able to apply the premises will need to have a bar that is used wholly or mainly for the sale or consumption of alcohol.
Prize gaming permit
If you want to run a premises that has facilities for gaming with prizes then you'll need a prize gaming permit (unless you are a club that holds a club gaming permit). Prize gaming is where there is a prize available that is not determined by the number of people taking part or by the amount paid or raised by the game.
Notification
You'll need to give us a notification if you want to have up to 2 category C or D gaming machines in a premises that holds a premises licence to sell alcohol under the Licensing Act 2003.
How to apply
There are different application forms to fill in for each permit and the permits last for different lengths of time.
You can find out about how to apply for these permits later in this guide.
Guidance
Further information about machine permits and how to apply is in our guidance on Gambling Act 2005.
Legislation
Complaints
If you have an issue with a premises that is licensed for gambling then you can tell us about this. Please telephone us or send us an email.
Public register
You can view details of existing gambling permits and a list of current applications on our licensing public register.