Gambling premises licence

The Gambling Act 2005 governs the provision of all gambling in Great Britain except the National Lottery and spread betting.

The Gambling Commission regulates the gambling industry and local authorities are responsible for issuing premises licences, permits and other required authorisations.

The act created three objectives:

  1. To prevent crime and disorder.
  2. To ensure gambling was conducted in a fair and open way.
  3. To protect children and vulnerable persons from harm.

The major areas of gambling covered are:

  • Casinos
  • Track betting
  • Betting shops
  • Gaming machines
  • Bingo
  • Prize gaming
  • Lotteries.

Our main responsibilities under the Act are:

  • Issuing premises licences for gambling activities
  • Consideration of notices given for the temporary use of premises for gambling
  • Granting permits for gaming and gaming machines in clubs and miners’ welfare institutes
  • Regulating gaming and gaming machines in alcohol licensed premises
  • Granting permits to family entertainment centres for the use of certain lower stake gaming machines
  • Granting permits for prize gaming
  • Considering occasional use notices for betting at tracks
  • Registering small societies’ lotteries.

Premises licences may authorise the provision of gambling facilities on:

  • Casino premises
  • Bingo premises
  • Betting premises, including tracks
  • Adult gaming centres
  • Licensed family entertainment centres.
  • Application process 

    Complete the grant premises licence application form. (pdf, 24kb) Your application must be accompanied by the relevant fee and a scale plan of the premises.
    You must publish a notice (dot, 41kb) in a local newspaper within 10 working days starting the day after the application is submitted to us. A copy of the newspaper is required before the licence can be issued.
    Notice must be displayed on the premises for a period of no less than 28 days starting on the day on which the application is made to us. A copy of your application must be sent to the responsible authorities (pdf, 70kb)using the Notice of Application to Responsible Authority (one applicant) (doc, 49kb) if the premises licence is held by an individual or by completing this notice Notice of Application to Responsible Authority (more than one applicant) (doc, 60kb) if the premises licence holder is more than one individual or in the name of a company.

  • Variation or transfer 

    Transfer

    To transfer, complete the application form (dot, 161kb). Your application must be accompanied by the relevant fee, written consent of the existing licence holder and the original premises licence. A copy of the notice must be sent to the responsible authorities (pdf, 70kb).  If you are applying as an individual, complete the Notice to Transfer to Responsible Authority (one applicant) (docx, 77kb). If there is more than one applicant or the transfer is in the name of a company, then complete the Notice to Transfer to Responsible Authority (company or more than one applicant) (docx, 78kb).

    Variation

    To vary the premises licence, complete the application form (dot, 175kb). Your application must be accompanied by the relevant fee, the original premises licence and a scale plan of the premises.

    You must publish a notice (docx, 77kb) in a local newspaper within 10 working days starting the day after the application is submitted to us. A copy of the newspaper is required before the licence can be issued.

    Notice must be displayed on the premises for a period of no less than 28 days starting on the day on which the application is made to us. A copy of your application must be sent to the responsible authorities (pdf, 70kb) using the Notice of Variation to Responsible Authority (one applicant) (docx, 77kb) if the premises licence is held by an individual or by completing the Notice of Variation to Responsible Authority (more than one applicant) (doc, 128kb) if the premises licence holder is more than one individual or in the name of a company.

  • Reinstatement of Premises Licence

    A premises licence will lapse on the death, incapacity or insolvency of the holder, or in the case of a company if it ceases to exist or goes into administration. An application may be made to reinstate the licence, which if successful, will result in the applicant becoming the new licence-holder.

    You must make the application to us within 6 months beginning with the date of the lapse.  An applicant for the reinstatement of a premises licence must have a legal right to occupy and utilise the licensed premises before they make an application.

    If more than 6 months has passed since the licence lapsed, it is not possible for it to be reinstated and a new application would be required before any further gambling activities could be carried on.

    To reinstate the premises licence, complete the application form (157kb). Your application must be accompanied by the relevant fee, the original premises licence and a scale plan of the premises.

    A copy of the notice must be sent to the responsible authorities (pdf, 70kb). If you are applying as an individual, complete the Notice to Reinstatement to Responsible Authority (one applicant) (docx, 77kb).  If there is more than one applicant or the transfer is in the name of a company then complete the Notice to Reinstatement to Responsible Authority (more than one applicant) (docx, 78kb).

  • Provisional Statement

    An application for a provisional statement can be made in respect of premises that the applicant:

    • Expects to be constructed;
    • Expects to be altered; or
    • Expects to acquire a right to occupy.

      To apply for a provisional statement, complete the application form (dot, 175kb). The application form must be accompanied by the relevant fee and a scale plan of the premises.

      You must publish a notice (docx, 77kb) in a local newspaper within 10 working days starting the day after the application is submitted to us. A copy of the newspaper is required before the licence can be issued.

      Notice must be displayed on the premises for a period of no less than 28 days starting on the day on which the application is made to us. A copy of your application must be sent to the responsible authorities (pdf, 70kb) using the Notice of Provisional Statement to Responsible Authority (one applicant) (docx, 77kb) if the premises licence is held by an individual or by completing the Notice of Provisional Statement to Responsible Authority (more than one applicant) (docx, 77kb) if the premises licence holder is more than one individual or in the name of a company.

      Unlike a premises licence application, a person can apply for a provisional statement without having an operating licence from the Gambling Commission or a right to occupy the premises.