Information for clubs

 
The Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) comes into force on 1 September 2007. To continue offering gaming machines and facilities after this date you need to do the following.
 

Existing Part II or Part III Registrations

If your existing registration expires before 31 August 2007, you will need to apply to the Magistrates Court to renew them in the normal way.  Part II registrations will be renewed for up to 10 years and Part III 5 years. 
 
If your Part II or Part III registration expires on or after 1 September 2007, you will need to apply to this licensing authority at least 2 months before the expiry date for either of the following:
  • Club gaming permit (equivalent of Part II) this permit entitles clubs to up to three category B4 gaming machines plus facilities for equal chance gaming (subject to certain limits).
  • Club machine permit (equivalent to Part III) this permit entitles you to offer up to three category B4 machines.  This does not authorise the provision of any other facilities for gaming.
  • Both new permits will last for 10 years

 

Existing registrations due to expire after 1 September 2007

Existing registrations will be automatically converted and Clubs will be treated for the purposes of the 2005 Act as having been granted the relevant new permit:
  • Clubs registered under Part II will be treated as holding club gaming permits
  • Clubs registered under Part III will be treated as holding club machine permits
 
You will be required to abide by the rules relating to the new permits in the new Act and accompanying regulations and by the Gambling Commission's code of practice for the location and operation of gaming machines in clubs.  Details of these conditions are available on the Gambling Commission website.
 

Continuation Rights

To qualify for continuation rights you need to apply two months before your permission expires.  You will then be able to continue offering the same gaming facilities as present until your application is resolved.
 

Gaming Machines

The maximum stakes and prizes are 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

Adobe Acrobat logoThe simple application guide for clubs (43kb) 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.)
 

Club Gaming and Club Machine Permit Information

Under the Gambling Act 2005 ("the Act") there are three types of Club recognised:
 
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

 

Before 31st August 2007, you may apply to the Magistrates Court to renew existing Part II and Part III Registrations, or for the first registration, in the normal way.
 
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.
 

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.
Peterborough City Council. Town Hall, Bridge Street, Peterborough, PE1 1QT - (01733) 747474 - DX12310 Peterborough 1