Gambling premises licence
You need to have a licence from the council to operate gambling establishments such as:
- bingo halls
- betting tracks
- betting shops
- adult gaming centres
- family entertainment centres
- casinos (although The Gambling Act 2005 prevents the council from accepting new applications)
When a premises licence is issued, it allows the premises to be used for that primary gambling activity.
Legislation summary
View the Gambling Act 2005.
Licensing policy
View the policy (PDF, 1.4mb)
Eligibility criteria
To apply for a premises licence you must:
- be 18 years of age or over
- be authorised to make such an application, if applying on behalf of a company or partnership
- hold or previously applied for an operator’s licence from the Gambling Commission for that gambling activity
- have paid the annual fee (even though the licence is valid for an indefinite period); the fee is payable on the anniversary of the grant of the licence
Applying for a new licence
If you are an individual applicant, you should use Form A
(doc, 65kb)
If you are a company or multiple applicants, you should use Form B
(doc, 77kb)
Once your application is submitted and paid for online it is automatically sent to the responsible authorities, so there is no need for applicants to send in paper hard copies.
Provisional statement
If the premise still needs to be built, needs major alterations or you don't have the right to occupy it, you can:
Apply for a notice of application for a provisional statement online
If you are an individual applicant, you should use Form A
(doc, 65kb)
If you are a company or multiple applicants, you should use Form B
(doc, 77kb)
Once your application is submitted and paid for online it is automatically sent to the responsible authorities, so there is no need for applicants to send in paper hard copies.
Notice of the application
An A4 or larger poster (doc, 57kb) must be displayed in the window of the premises for 28 consecutive days:
- the date of application stated on the notice must be the date that the notice is displayed at the premises
- that the notice is properly displayed and clearly legible for the duration of the 28 day consultation period
- that you laminate the notice (if it's being displayed outside) so that it's weather proof
- that you display the notice outside (otherwise shutters at your premise may obscure the notice)
- to advertise in a local newspaper within 10 working days of submitting the application
Vessel applications
For boats and ships, you'll need to apply online for either:
A new premises licence (for vessels)
A provisional statement (for vessels)
Fees
You can view the Gambling Act fees (PDF, 144kb) here.
Tacit consent
Your licence will only be issued when all necessary inspections / checks have been carried out and the premises meets the required standards.
The licence may also list additional site specific conditions.
Failed application redress
Any person who is refused a licence can appeal to the Magistrates Court.
Licence holder redress
Any licence holder who objects to any of the licensing conditions attached to a licence may appeal to the Magistrates Court.
Page last updated: 16 March 2021
