There are a number of different types of permits required for gambling activities and gambling machines. If you have any doubt which apply to you and your business, please read about compliance on the Gambling Commission’s website.
If you’re still unsure, contact us: licensing@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Premises licence
A premises licence is required for any premises where an individual or company wants to offer premises-based gambling. This includes:
- casinos
- bingo halls
- betting premises (including betting shops, betting tracks, etc.)
- adult gaming centres (Category B3, B4, C and D gaming machines)
- family entertainment centres (Category C and D gaming machines)
Fees
- new licence: £827.10
- renewal (annual): £377.30
- transfer a licence: £213.80
- variation: £827.10
- provisional statement: £827.10
- change of address: £46.70
- re-instatement: £377.30
- premises licence with provisional statement: £147.80
- copy of licence: £29.40
Alcohol-licensed premises automatic entitlement
Certain alcohol licensed premises, such as pubs and bars, can provide two gaming machines (Type C or D) without a permit. We must be notified that you wish to use the automatic entitlement.
There will be a one-off fee of £50 when you submit your notification.
Notification for 2 or fewer machines (PDF)
Gaming machine permit
For more than two gaming machine (Type C or D) you will need a gaming machine permit.
Fees
- gaming machine permit: £150
- renewal (annual): £50
- variation: £100
- transfer: £25
- change of name: £25
- copy of licence: £15
The first annual fee of £50 is to be paid within 30 days of the date that your permit takes effect, and must be renewed yearly.
Application for Gaming Machine Permit (PDF)
Small society lottery
To qualify for a small society lottery:
- the society must be non-commercial
- the value of tickets put on sale per single lottery must be £20,000 or less, or the aggregate value of tickets put on sale for all their lotteries in a calendar year must not exceed £250,000
If the operator plans to exceed either of these values then they will be classed as a large lottery operator and must be licensed with the Gambling Commission instead.
The promoting society must be registered with a licensing authority where their principal office is located throughout the period of promoting.
Fees
There is a fee of £40 to be registered for a small lottery. A renewal fee of £20 applies every year.
Application for registration of small lottery (PDF)
Small lottery return form (PDF)
For information about how to run a small society lottery and the circumstances in which a registration is and isn’t required, please visit the Gambling Commission’s website: how to run a lottery or fundraiser.
Family entertainment centres
These cater for families, including unaccompanied children and young people.
Centres with no alcohol licensed can apply for a permit allowing them to offer any number of category D machines.
Family entertainment centre application form (PDF)
Fees
- new: £300
- renewal (annual): £300
- notification of change: £25
- existing operator: £100
- copy of licence: £15
Club gaming permit
No more than 3 gaming machines (these may be from categories B3A, B4, C or D but only one B3A machine).
The provision of equal chance gaming (for example, poker) and the provision of games of chance (for example, pontoon), is also allowed.
An application for a club gaming permit for a premises within our area should be submitted to us. However, for further information about club gaming permits, please see the Gambling Commission’s website regarding club gaming and machine permits.
Club gaming permit application form (PDF)
Fees
- new club machine permit/club gaming permit: £200 (£100 if club premises certificate already held)
- renewal (annual): £200 (£100 if club premises certificate already held)
Club machine permit
No more than 3 gaming machines (these may be from categories B3A, B4, C or D but only one B3A machine).
The provision of equal chance gaming (for example, poker or bingo).
An application for a club machine permit for a premises within our area should be submitted to us. However, for further information about club gaming permits, please see the Gambling Commission’s website regarding club gaming and machine permits.
Club machine permit application form (PDF)
Fees
- new club machine permit/club gaming permit: £200 (£100 if club premises certificate already held)
- renewal (annual): £200 (£100 if club premises certificate already held)