Family entertainment centre gaming machine permits
Under the Gambling
Act 2005 ("the Act") Section 238 specifies that only those
premises which are wholly or mainly used for making gaming machines
available for use such as small arcades in holiday parks, theme
parks and seaside resorts - may hold a Family Entertainment Centre
("FEC") Gaming Machine Permit; Permits cannot be issued to vessels
or vehicles. Those FECs who do not hold a Gambling Premises Licence
will therefore be able to offer Category
D machines only under this Permit.
Any number of Category D machines
can be made available with the Permit (subject to other
considerations, such as fire regulations and health and safety,
which will not be issues for the licensing authority under the Act)
as these type of machines are the lowest category of gaming
machines available, and the only type that children and young
people are allowed to play.
If the operator of an FEC wants to make Category C machines available, in addition
to Category D machines, then they will
need to apply for an Operating Licence from the Gambling Commission
and then a Gambling Premises Licence from us. Consequently, holders
of a Gambling Premises Licence issued under the Act may not apply
for FEC Gaming Machine Permits.
FEC Gaming Machine Permits replace Section 34(1) Permits which
were issued under the 1968 Gaming Act.
Applicants will be required to provide the following:
- A plan showing the layout of the premises;
- Evidence that Criminal Record Bureau checks are carried out for staff;
- Evidence that appropriate measures / training are in place for staff to enable them to: 1) deal with suspected truant school children on the premises; 2) deal with unsupervised very young children on the premises; and, 3) have a full understanding of the maximum stakes and prizes permissible in unlicensed FECs;
- Evidence of how the applicant would deal with children causing perceived problems on or around the premises;
- Evidence that the applicant is able to demonstrate a full understanding of the maximum stakes and prizes of the gambling that is permissible in unlicensed FECs; and,
- Evidence that the applicant has no relevant convictions (those that are set out in Schedule 7 of the Act)
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.
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.