Overview

You’ll need a premises licence if you want to run any of the following types of premises:

  • bingo hall
  • betting shop
  • betting (track) – these are sporting venues not just race tracks
  • amusement arcade (for adults only, or where adult machines are provided)

How to apply

If you want to run a bingo hall, betting shop, betting track, adult gaming centre, family entertainment centre or casino you will need to apply for a premises licence. 

You'll need to complete an application form and send this to us. 

If you're applying to licence a vessel then you should contact licensing@eastdevon.gov.uk to obtain an application form. You'll need to tell us additional information about the vessel.

When you fill in the application form you'll need to give:

  • your details
  • details of the premises and what type of premises licence you are applying for
  • times of operation
  • a detailed plan of the premises.  You can find out more about this in our guidance for plans.  There are different requirements depending on the type of premises

Types of premises licence

There are five types of premises licences:

  • casino premises licence
  • bingo premises licence
  • betting premises licence, including tracks and premises used by betting intermediaries
  • adult gaming centres (for category B3, C and D gaming machines)
  • family entertainment centres (for category C and D gaming machines)

If you want to run an unlicensed family entertainment centre you can apply for a permit instead.  Unlicensed family entertainment centres can only have category D gaming machines.  

Notices

In the case of an application for a premises licence the applicant must advertise the application as follows:

  • For a period of no less then 28 consecutive days starting on the day on which the application was made to East Devon District Council by displaying a notice on the premises in a place at which it can be conveniently read by members of the public from the exterior of the premises. If your premises are more than 50 metres square, a further copy or copies of the notice must be displayed every 50 metres along the perimeter of your premises, again where passers-by are able to read them
  • By publishing a notice in a local newspaper circulating in the vicinity of the premises on at least one occasion during the period of 10 working days starting on the day after the day on which the application was given to East Devon District Council

You must use the prescribed form of notice and you can download these from the Gambling Commission's website.

Responsible authorities

You'll need to give notice of the application to ourselves and each of the other responsible authorities within a period of seven days beginning on the date on which the application is made.  You can request the notice form for a single or multiple applicants by emailing licensing@eastdevon.gov.uk or these are available on the Gambling Commission website. You'll need to send a copy to each of the responsible authorities listed in our guide.

Mandatory and default conditions

These conditions are added to all granted premises licences. They vary depending on the premises type. The list is quite extensive and further details can be found on the Gambling Commission's website.

Payments

You'll be charged a fee for this application. Please make sure you are aware of how much this will cost.

Length of licence

Most premises licences have an unlimited duration but you'll have to pay an annual fee.

Data protection

Any personal information which you provide will be held and used by East Devon District Council for the purpose of the Licensing Service to process your gambling premises licence application and administer any gambling premises licence which is granted. Your information may also be shared within East Devon District Council for the purposes of carrying out our lawful functions. Otherwise your personal information will not be disclosed to anybody outside East Devon District Council without your permission, unless there is a lawful reason to do so, for example disclosure is necessary for crime prevention or detection purposes. Your information will be held securely and will not be retained for any longer than is necessary. There are a number of rights available to you in relation to our use of your personal information, depending on the reason for processing. Further detail about our use of your personal information can be found in the relevant privacy notice. 

Guidance

Further information about premises licences and how to apply is in our guide to applying for gambling act licences.

Legislation

Gambling Act 2005

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 premises licences and a list of current applications on our licensing public register.