Members' clubs
These must have at least 25 members and be established or
conducted mainly for purposes other than gaming. The Club should
not be established to make a commercial profit and should be
controlled by its members. Examples include most sports clubs,
working men's clubs, branches of the Royal British Legion and
politically affiliated clubs. Although members clubs should
generally be established or conducted for purposes other than
gaming, regulations may permit certain types of gaming clubs.
Commercial clubs
These have the same characteristics as members clubs, except
that they are established to make a profit. An example of such a
club would be a snooker club. Certain bridge and whist clubs may
operate as commercial clubs if they are established to make a
profit.
Miners' welfare institutes
The definition of this class of club has changed to reflect
social and economic changes since their establishment. These are
associations established for recreational or social purposes. They
are managed by a charitable trust which has received funds from one
of a number of mining organisations.
Under Section 271 of the Act, we may grant members' clubs
and miners' welfare institutes (but not commercial clubs) Club
Gaming Permits which authorise those establishments to provide
gaming machines, equal chance gaming and games of chance as
prescribed in regulations. This is in addition to the exempt gaming
authorisation under Section 269 of the Act. Club Gaming Permits
allow the provision of no more than three gaming machines. These
may be from categories B3A, B4, C or D the Club is permitted to
choose the combination of machines on its premises.
If a Club does not wish to have the full range of facilities
permitted by a Club Gaming Permit or if they are a commercial club
not permitted to provide non-machine gaming (other than exempt
gaming under Section 269 of the Act), they may apply to the
Authority for a Club Machine Permit under Section 273 of the Act.
This authorises the holder to have up to three gaming machines
of categories B3A (this category is not available for commercial clubs) B4, C
and D.
Club Gaming Permits replace the permissions provided by Part II
registration under the 1968 Gaming Act, whilst Club Machine Permits
replace the permissions provided by Part III registration under the
1968 Act. Permit holders are required to comply with the
Gambling Commission gaming machine permits codes of practice.
Compliance with these provisions is a condition of the Permit,
and failure to do so could result in revocation of the Permit.
Transitional arrangements
After 1st September 2007, the following arrangements will
apply:
- a Club registered under Part II will be treated as if it holds
a Club Gaming Permit under the Act
- a Club registered under Part III will be treated as if it holds
a Club Machine Permit under the Act
- these arrangements will expire on the date on which your
current registration is due to expire
You should apply to us for the relevant Club Permit under the
Act at least two months before the date on which your registration
is due to expire. At that stage the club registration will be
converted into an actual Club Gaming or Club Machine Permit.
Useful links
Contact details
For further information and guidance please
contact our licensing team.