Information for pubs and other alcohol licensed premises
The Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) came into force on 1 September
2007. To continue operating gaming machines after this date
you need to do the following.
Existing Gaming Machine Permits
If your gaming machine permit (section 34(5E)) expires
before 31 August 2007 you will need to apply to this
licensing authority as normal. If your application is
successful your new permit will be granted for three years.
If your gaming machine permit (section 34(5E)) expires
on or after 1 September 2007, what you apply for will
depend on how many gaming machines you wish to offer on your
premises as described below.
New Gaming Machine Permits under the Gambling Act 2005
If you offer up to two gaming machines you will have an
automatic entitlement of up to two gaming machines (Category C or D), subject to a simple
notification procedure. You will need to notify this
authority prior to the expiry of your existing permit.
If you offer more than two gaming machines you will need to
apply to this authority for a licensed premises gaming machine
permit. You will need to apply at least two months before the
date on which your existing Section 34 permit expires. For
example, if your permit is due to expire on 2 September 2007 you
should apply under the new Act no later than 2 July 2007.
Permit Duration Fees
Both the automatic entitlement and licensed premises gaming
machine permit are of unlimited duration. However both will be
subject to pay an annual fee. The only exception is if your
circumstances change, you will need to re-apply. Fees are currently
being calculated and will be on this section soon.
Gaming Machine Permits (Section 34 (5E)) renewed before 31 August
From 1 September 2007, your existing permit will continue to
have effect as if it were a licensed premises gaming machine permit
issued under the new Act. You are entitled to offer the same
number of gaming machines that your current permit entitles you to
and you will be required to abide by the Gambling Commission's code
of practice for gaming machines in alcohol licensed premises.
Details can be found on the Gambling Commission's website, www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
Gaming Machines
The maximum stakes and prizes for each gaming machine category
is available on the stake, prize and
machine allowances page.
Fees, application forms and guidance
Details of fees, application forms and guidance on how to make
an application is available on the application information page.
Flowchart
The simple application guide for pubs (41kb) appears in Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format. In order to view it you will need to have Acrobat Reader installed. (Those with visual impairments may wish to investigate Access Adobe, which provides tools and information to help make PDF files more accessible.) Permit Information
Under the Gambling Act 2005 ("the Act") a Licensed Premises
Gaming Machine Permit applies to premises with a Licensing Act 2003 on-premises alcohol
licence that also serve alcohol without the requirement that it
accompanies food. A pub, restaurant or hotel with a bar will be
eligible to apply for this type of permit, but hotels and
restaurants that serve alcohol only with food will not.
Section 282 of the Act provides an automatic entitlement to make available two gaming machines (of categories C or D) for use in alcohol licensed premises. To take advantage of this entitlement the Premise Licence Holder, under the Licensing Act 2003, must give notice to us of their intention to make gaming machines available for use, and must pay the prescribed fee.
We may issue Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permits for any number of Category C or D machines in licensed premises. Where a Permit authorises the making available of a specified number of gaming machines in particular premises, this will effectively replace, and not be in addition to, any automatic entitlement to two machines as described above.
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
Section 282 of the Act provides an automatic entitlement to make available two gaming machines (of categories C or D) for use in alcohol licensed premises. To take advantage of this entitlement the Premise Licence Holder, under the Licensing Act 2003, must give notice to us of their intention to make gaming machines available for use, and must pay the prescribed fee.
We may issue Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permits for any number of Category C or D machines in licensed premises. Where a Permit authorises the making available of a specified number of gaming machines in particular premises, this will effectively replace, and not be in addition to, any automatic entitlement to two machines as described above.
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:
- up to two gaming machines - pubs will have an automatic entitlement to two gaming machines, subject to a simple notification procedure. You should make this notification to us prior to the expiry of your existing Permit.
- more than two gaming machines - pubs which want to offer more than two gaming machines will need to apply to us for a Licensed Premises Gaming Permit. You should apply at least two months before the date on which your Section 34 Permit is due to expire.
Further Information
For further information concerning the Gambling Act 2005,
please contact the Licensing Team. The Gambling
Commission can be contacted on 0121 230 6666.