This page contains information about providing gaming machines in pubs and bars. If you need any help or advice about anything on this page please contact us by telephone or e-mail. Our telephone line is open Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm and Friday 9am - 4:30pm. You can also offer us feedback on our service by filling out our online customer feedback form.
Which premises are able to provide gaming machines?
Any premises that have an alcohol licence, and which have a bar at which alcohol is served for consumption on the premises without requirement that alcohol is served only with food. Such premises may provide up to two gaming machines of categories C or D by way of a simple notification procedure or more than two gaming machines by applying for an 'alcohol licensed premises gaming machine permit'.
I am the holder of the premises licence for a new pub that wishes to provide gaming machines for the first time. What should I do?
For up to two machines you simply need to notify us of your intention to take up your entitlement to provide two gaming machines. Please use the universal form which can be downloaded from this page or notify us in writing, enclosing the fee of £50. For more than two machines, you may apply for an alcohol licensed premises gaming machine permit. Please use the universal application form available on this page and see the fees in the table below.
I have an existing section 34 permit that is about to expire. What should I do?
Your existing section 34 permit will remain valid until it expires. Prior to your existing permit expiring and depending on the number of machines you currently have you will either need to notify us of your wish to continue to take up your entitlement to two gaming machines or if you have more than 2 machines, apply for a licensed premises gaming machine permit. Please use the universal application form available on this page and see the fees in the table below.
I have just recently bought a premises which has gaming machines, what should I do?
You need to check if the machines are covered by an existing permit whether that be an old section 34 permit or an existing alcohol licensed premises gaming machine permit (for more than two machines.) If the premises has less than two machines then you simply need to notify us of your wish to take up your automatic entitlement to two gaming machines or if the premises has more than two machines and is covered by an existing alcohol licensed premises gaming machine permit then you will need to transfer this permit into your name If you are not sure whether the machines are covered by an appropriate authorisation or you do not have any paperwork for the machines then you should switch them off and contact us.
What category of machine can I provide?
The law establishes several categories of gaming machines. It restricts the gaming machines that can be operated on an alcohol licensed premises to categories C and D. The level of stakes and prizes define the category of a machine.
|
Category of machine
|
Maximum stake
|
Maximum prize |
| C |
50p |
£35 |
| D |
10p or 30p when non monetary prize |
£5 cash or £8 non monetary prize
|
How do I notify the council (about two machines)?
You may apply in writing by sending us a letter along with the fee of £50 or download our universal application form that you can use to give notice. Because there is no permit for a two machine notification, all you will receive back from us is a written acknowledgement of your notification. The fee of £50 covers the notification fee indefinitely and there is no annual fee or requirement to reapply, as long as the holder of the alcohol premises licence remains the same.
How do I apply for a licensed premises gaming machine permit (for more than two machines?)
Simply use the universal form available on this page and send the form and fee to ourselves. If we require any further information such as a plan of your premises we will contact you in due course. You will need to pay us a first annual fee 30 days after the permit is issued and then an annual fee to keep the permit in force.
Fees
|
S34 holder
|
No. of machines
|
Authorisation
|
Initial fee
|
First annual fee
|
Annual fee |
| No |
2 |
Simple notification |
£50 |
n/a |
n/a |
| Yes |
2 |
Simple notification |
£50 |
n/a |
n/a |
| Yes |
3+ |
Licensed premises gaming machine permit |
£100 |
£50 |
£50 |
| No |
3+ |
Licensed premises gaming machine permit |
£150 |
£50 |
£50 |
Other fees for a Licensed premises gaming machine permit:
| Variation fee |
£100 |
| Transfer fee |
£25 |
| Change of name on permit |
£25 |
| Copy of permit |
£15 |
Are there any other rules or regulations that I need to be aware of?
There are a number of statutory conditions relating to the way in which gaming machines are used, and you will also need to ensure compliance with the Gambling Commission's code of practice on the location and operation of gaming machines. See the attachment available on this page.