Gaming permits
Permits are issued to premises that either offer very low-stakes and prize gambling or premises whose primary function is not the provision of gambling facilities.
Premises eligible to apply to licensing authorities for permits are:
- Unlicensed family entertainment centres
- Alcohol licensed premises (under the Licensing Act 2003)
- Clubs (commercial and non commercial)
- Premises offering commercial prize gambling.
We issue the following types of permit:
- Unlicensed family entertainment centre gaming machine permits
- Prize gaming permits
- Licensed premises gaming machine permits
- Club gaming permits and club machine permits.
Unlicensed family entertainment centre gaming machine permits
Unlicensed family entertainment centres (uFEC) are able to offer only category D machines in reliance on a gaming machine permit. Any number of category D machines can be made available with such a permit, although there may be other considerations, such as fire regulations and health and safety, to take into account. Permits cannot be issued in respect of vessels or vehicles. More information can be found on the Gambling Commissions website here.
Prize Gaming Permit
Prize gaming is gaming where prizes are predetermined and are not dependent on the number of participants or the amounts staked. A permit is generally required, subject to specific exemptions for certain licensed premises and travelling fairs. Operators must comply with prescribed limits on participation fees and prizes, ensure games are conducted and completed on the same premises and day, publicly announce the result, and ensure participation does not entitle players to any other form of gambling. More information on Prize Gaming can be found on the Gambling Commission’s website here.
Club gaming permits (CGP)
CGPs are available to members’ clubs but not commercial clubs. It allows the club to offer:
- equal chance gaming such as poker and bingo
- games of chance (pontoon and chemin de fer only)
- up to three gaming machines in total of categories B3A, B4, C or D, but by agreement, only one machine can be of category B3A.
There are no restrictions on stakes or prizes, except for bingo, which is subject to a maximum of £2,000 in any seven-day period. Participation fees are limited to £20 per person per day for bridge or whist where no other gaming is provided on that day, and £3 per person per day for all other gaming, including poker.
Club machine permits (CMP)
CMPs are available to members clubs and commercial clubs. Allowing clubs to offer:
- equal chance gaming such as poker and bingo
- up to three gaming machines in total of categories B3A, B4, C or D, but by agreement, only one machine can be of category B3A (B3A not permitted for commercial clubs).
Restrictions include bingo stakes and prizes being limited to £2,000 in any seven-day period. Poker stakes are capped at £10 per person per game, subject to premises limits of £250 per day and £1,000 per week, with prizes limited to £250 per game. Participation fees are limited to £18 per person per day for bridge or whist where no other gaming is provided, £1 for other gaming including poker, and £3 for gaming at a commercial club.
More information on Club Gaming Permits and Club Machine Permits can be found on the Gambling Commission’s website here.
Licensed premises gaming machine permits
Licensing authorities may issue licensed premises gaming machine permits authorising any number of Category C or D gaming machines. Where a permit specifies the number of machines permitted on particular premises, it replaces, rather than adds to, the automatic entitlement to two machines under s.282 of the Act. Permit holders must also comply with the Gambling Commission’s Code of practice for gaming machines in clubs and premises with an alcohol licence. More information can be found on the Gambling Commission’s website here.
There are no annual fees for unlicensed family entertainment centre permits and prize gaming permits. Alcohol licensed premises and club gaming/machine permits require payment of an annual fee. Application forms can be found to the right of the page.
The Gambling Commission has further information on gaming permits or you can contact us for further information.