Gambling Act 2005 - gaming licences

Applying for a club gaming permit or club machine permit

An application can be made for a permit in respect of any premises occupied by the club for the use of members. Usually, the club secretary (or for commercial clubs, a director or other board member) will need to authorise the club's application.

Apply for a gaming machine permit

Alternatively, we can send you an application form: Contact Licensing

The completed application form should be sent to us, together with payment of the appropriate fee: More information on our fees and charges

Further copies of the completed application form must also be sent to the Gambling Commission and Leicestershire Force Licensing, within seven days of making the application. Either of these bodies may object to your application within a 28-day period.

Fast-track applications for clubs with club premises certificates

An alternate application process applies to clubs that hold club premises certificates under the Licensing Act 2003. These clubs are able to make 'fast-track' applications, by completing the relevant section of the application form. Different fees apply to fast-track applications.

Because the structure of the club has already been examined during the application process for the certificate, clubs making use of this provision will not have to send copies of their application form to the Gambling Commission nor the police and objections cannot be made against the application by those bodies.

Fast-track applications may only be refused if we believe that:

• The club is established or conducted wholly or mainly for gaming (other than bridge or whist)
• The club is established or conducted wholly or mainly for bridge or whist, and provides facilities for gaming or another kind
• The club has had a gambling permit cancelled in the previous 10 years

Any permit granted under the fast-track process will have an unlimited duration but will lapse if the club premises certificate ceases to have effect. Annual fees will be payable to maintain the permit.

Hearings

If we have concerns about your application, or if objections have been received, we will hold a hearing to consider your application. A decision will then be made to either grant or refuse your application. The matters that we will look into include (but are not limited to) the following:

• The premises will not be used wholly or mainly be children or young persons
• The club has not previously committed any gambling-related offences or breaches of permits or licences
• No previous gambling permits held by the club have been revoked in the last 10 years.

Where applications are refused, there will be a right of appeal to the magistrates' court, within 21 days of notification of the refusal.

No further conditions can be attached to a permit, beyond the statutory conditions that automatically apply to permits, requiring that:

• No child or young person is to be allowed to use a category B or C gaming machine
• The club must comply with the Commission's code of practice for clubs and licensed premises
• Every person participating in gambling must have been a club member (or have applied for membership) for at least 48 hours before participation, or be a genuine guest of such a member (applies to non-commercial clubs only)

Last updated: ‎06‎/‎06‎/‎2023‎ ‎16‎:‎30‎