Gambling permits

Gambling permits are issued to a premises where the main purpose of the premises is not gambling. This includes premises that offer very low stakes and prizes for gambling, gaming and gaming machines.

If the main purpose of the premises is gambling, you need a gambling premises licence.

Premises that normally qualify for a gambling permit include:

unlicenced family entertainment centres
alcohol licenced premises
commercial and non-commercial clubs
premises that want to offer commercial prize gaming

Types of permit that we issue

We issue four main types of gambling permit:

Differences between a gambling permit and a gambling premises licence

There are several key differences between a Permit and a Gambling Premises Licence:

permit holders do not need an Operating Licence issued by the Gambling Commission
there are no responsible authorities or interested parties in relation to permit applications
we can only grant or reject permits, we can not attach conditions
the Gambling Commission has less power and involvement in relation to permits than they do with a Gambling Premises Licence
permits only last for a set amount of time, unless they are for an alcohol licenced premises