Gaming Machines

Alcohol licensed premises can make gaming machines available for use under the Gambling Act 2005. They have the automatic right to make one or two gaming machines available for use or they can apply for a licensed premises gaming machine permit for more than two machines. To be eligible to apply, the premises:

must benefit from a premises licence issued under the Licensing Act 2003 permitting on-sales;
must have a bar;
must not have a condition on the licence requiring alcohol only to be served with food.

Automatic right to one or two gaming machines

The holder of a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 can notify the licensing authority that they intend to make available for use one or two Category C or D gaming machines. The fee is £50 and there is no renewal or annual fee. The automatic right lapses if the premises licence is surrendered or transferred.

Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permit

The holder of a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 can apply for a licensed premises gaming machine permit to authorise them to make 3 or more Category C or D gaming machines available for use on the premises. The fee for this is £100 on application. A further annual fee of £50 is due within 30 days of the licence being granted and annually thereafter. An invoice for the annual fee is sent to the licence holder. A code of practice, published by the Gambling Commission, applies to the location and supervision of the machines on alcohol licensed premises.