Alcohol Licenced Premises Gaming Machines

Under the Gambling Act 2005 which came into force on the 1st September 2007 and created the following permissions for the use of Gaming Machines in Alcohol Licensed Premises:

• Notification of up to 2 gaming machines in Alcohol Licensed Premises
• Alcohol Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permits
  

Only establishments that hold a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises may be authorised to operate category C or D gaming machines.

To operate gaming machines in alcohol licensed premises permit holders are required to comply with the Gambling Commissions Gaming Machine Codes of Practice issued under section 24 of the Gambling Act 2005.

Notification of up to 2 Gaming Machines
The Gambling Act 2005 provides an automatic entitlement for the holder of a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 to provide up to two Category C & D gaming machines on their premises.  An application for a permit is not required but premises licence-holders must notify their Licensing Authority in writing of their intention to provide the machines by completing an application form and pay the prescribed fees.

There is no expiry date for a notification and it will remain in force in force for so long as the premises continues to have an alcohol licence and the holder of the permit continues to hold that licence.

Further information on making an application can be found in our guidance notes.

Alcohol Licensed Gaming Machine Permits
Where the holder of a Premises Licence wishes to provide more than two gaming machines, an application form for a Gaming Machine Permit must be sent to the Licensing Authority along with the prescribed fee. 

There is no restriction on the number of machines that may be applied for and applications to vary the number of machines may be made at any time. There is no expiry date for a notification and it will remain in force for so long as the premises continues to have an alcohol licence and the holder of the permit continues to hold that licence.

There is an annual fee for this type of Permit, which must be paid within 30 days of the Permit becoming effective.

Further information on making an application can be found in our guidance notes.

Exempt Gaming in Alcohol Licensed Premises
Exempt gaming is equal chance gaming which is generally permissible in any club or alcohol licensed premises. This exemption is automatically available to all club or alcohol licensed premises, but is subject to statutory stakes and prize limits determined by the Secretary of State.

Equal chance gaming includes games such as backgammon, mah-jong, rummy, kalooki, dominoes, cribbage, bingo and poker and should be ancillary to the purposes of the premises.

All premises which provide equal chance gaming are required to comply with the Gambling Commission Code of Practice for Equal Chance Gaming in issued under section 24 of the Gambling Act 2005.

Application Forms & Guidance Notes
Guidance Notes - Licensed Premises Gaming Permits.pdf

Gaming Machine Codes of Practice.pdf

Advice on gaming in pubs and clubs.pdf

Equal Chance Gaming Code of Practice.pdf