Apply for a gambling premises licence
If you wish to carry out any of the following gambling businesses then you will require a gambling premises licence.
In order to apply for a premises licence for the businesses, you must be 18 years of age or over and you must ensure that you have a right to occupy the premises.
You will also be required to obtain an operating licence from the Gambling Commission.
You may be required to obtain a personal management licence (PML) however, If you are classed as a small scale operator this won’t be required.
Gambling premises licences
Under the Gambling Act 2005, you can apply for a gambling premises licence to cover the following business:
Adult Gaming Centre
An adult gaming centre premises licence will allow the operator to make use of up to four category B3 and B4 gaming machines (or 20% of the total number of gaming machines, whichever is the greater) and an unlimited number of category C and D machines.
For more information on the definitions and maximum stakes and prizes of each category, please visit the Gambling Commission website.
Betting Office (track and other)
A betting office premises licence will allow the operator to make use of up to four category B2, B3, B4 C and D gaming machines as well as betting and virtual games.
For further information, please visit the Gambling Commission website.
In the case of racetracks, if the occupier of the premises licence does not offer the gambling, an operators licence from the Gambling Commission may not be required – if you are unsure please contact the Gambling Commission.
Bingo Hall
A bingo premises licence will allow the operator to make use of up to four category B3 and B4 gaming machines (or 20% of the total number of gaming machines, whichever is the greater) and an unlimited number of category C and D machines, as well as Bingo.
For more information on the definitions and maximum stakes and prizes of each category, please visit the Gambling Commission website.
Casino
Casinos are separated into three categories of premises licences:
- Regional casino
- Large casino
- Small casino
If you wish to apply for a casino premises licence, please contact the licensing team.
Family Entertainment Centre (FEC)
A family entertainment centre (FEC) premises licence will allow the operator to make use of category C gaming machines.
These machines, however, must be in a segregated part of the premises that is supervised to prevent children and young people from accessing these machines. A FEC will also allow for unlimited use of category D gaming machines.
The authority expects the applicant to show that there are policies and procedures in place to protect children from harm. The efficiency of such policies and procedures will each be considered on their merits; however, they may include:
- dealing with suspected truant children on the premises
- dealing with unsupervised young children on the premises
- dealing with children causing perceived problems on or around the premises
Applicants should also provide evidence that there is a full evidence of the maximum stakes and prizes of the gambling that is permissible in unlicensed FECs.
How to apply
To apply, please complete the following relevant application forms:
- Gambling premises application form (standard) (PDF)
- Gambling premises application form (vessels) (PDF)
Alongside your application you will also be required to submit a plan that shows the following:
- The extent of the boundary or perimeter of the premises
- The location of any external or internal walls if the premise includes or consists of one or more buildings
- The location of any external or internal walls of the building which are included in the premises if the premise forms part of a building
- The location of any part of the sides of the vessel and of any internal walls of the vessel which are included in the premises, if the premise is a vessel or part of a vessel
- The location of each point of entry to and exit from the premises, including, a description in each case of the place from which entry is made or to which the exit leads
Once completed, submit your application to the licensing department by completing the licensing department contact form.
You will also be required to submit the appropriate fee for the application, this can be paid using our online payment form.
How to pay
Application fees
Adult Gaming Centre
- New application - £450
- Annual fee - £450
- First annual fee - £250
- Application for vary - £450
- Application to transfer - £200
- Application for reinstatement - £450
- Provisional statement application - £450
- New application (provisional statement holder) - £300
- Copy of Licence - £12
- Notification of Change - £12
Betting Office
- New application - £450
- Annual fee - £250
- First annual fee - £150
- Application for vary - £450
- Application to transfer - £250
- Application for reinstatement - £250
- Provisional statement application – £450
- New application (provisional statement holder) - £300
- Copy of Licence - £12
- Notification of Change - £12
Bingo Hall
- New application - £650
- Annual fee - £650
- First annual fee - £350
- Application for vary - £650
- Application to transfer - £250
- Application for reinstatement - £250
- Provisional statement application - £650
- New application (provisional statement holder) - £450
- Copy of Licence - £12
- Notification of Change - £12
Regional Casino
- New application - £15,000
- Annual fee - £10,000
- First annual fee - £2,000
- Application for vary - £7,500
- Application to transfer - £6,500
- Application for reinstatement - £6,500
- Provisional statement application - £15,000
- New application (provisional statement holder) - £8,000
- Copy of Licence - £12
- Notification of Change - £12
Large Casino
- New application - £10,000
- Annual fee - £7,000
- First annual fee - £1,500
- Application for vary - £5,000
- Application to transfer - £2,150
- Application for reinstatement - £6,500
- Provisional statement application - £10,000
- New application (provisional statement holder) - £5,000
- Copy of Licence - £12
- Notification of Change - £12
Small Casino
- New application - £8,000
- Annual fee - £3,000
- First annual fee - £2,00
- Application for vary - £4,000
- Application to transfer - £1,800
- Application for reinstatement - £2,150
- Provisional statement application - £8,000
- New application (provisional statement holder) - £3,000
- Copy of Licence - £12
- Notification of Change - £12
Family Entertainment Centre
- New application - £450
- Annual fee - £450
- First annual fee - £250
- Application for vary - £450
- Application to transfer - £250
- Application for reinstatement - £250
- Provisional statement application - £450
- New application (provisional statement holder) - £300
- Copy of Licence - £12
- Notification of Change - £12