Gambling and lottery licences

We have the responsibility of issuing premises licences for the following types of premises:

• betting shops
• tracks (e.g. dog and horse racing, or sports tracks where betting may take place)

• adult gaming centres

• bingo premises
• family entertainment centres
• casinos.

When making an application for any licence under the Gambling Act the applicant must take into account the three licensing objectives, which are:

• to prevent gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder or being used to support crime
• to ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
• to protect children and other vulnerable persons being harmed or exploited by gambling

Operator's licences and personal licences are issued by the Gambling Commission

Permits

There are four main types of gambling permit that licensing authorities are responsible for issuing under the Gambling Act.

• alcohol licensed premises (gaming machine permit, and notification of 2 or less gaming machines)
• unlicensed family entertainment centres (gaming machine permits)
• prize gaming
• clubs (club gaming permits and club machine permits)

Small society lotteries

In order to register as a small society lottery, the society in question must be set up for non commercial purposes e.g. sports, cultural or charitable. Every ticket in the lottery must cost the same and the ticket fee must be paid to the society before entry into the draw is allowed. There is a maximum limit of £20,000 or less in ticket sales per single lottery, and no single prize may be worth more than £25,000. Lottery tickets can only be sold by persons over the age of 16. Please contact us for more information.

Documents

How can I find out more?

Further information can be found from the Gambling Commission.

Policy for premises licensed for gambling

Our Statement of Principles for Gambling 2024-2027 sets out the general approach the Council will take when exercising its licensing functions under the Gambling Act 2005.

This statement of principles has effect from 19 February 2024 and will expire on 18 February 2027.

Documents