Gaming machine licences

Can I provide gaming machines?

Yes

If the premises meets any of the following criteria and holds the relevant authorisation under the terms of the Gambling Act 2005;

• is licensed under the Licensing Act 2003 for the sale of alcohol on the premises and the main function of the premises is not to provide food or gaming
• is a licensed club under the Licensing Act 2003 for the supply of alcohol
• is a licensed arcade – please refer to arcades
• is a licensed betting shop
• is a licensed bingo hall
• is a licensed casino
• is a travelling fair.

The possible authorisations are:

• notification of 2 or less gaming machines – this can be applied for by the holder of premises licensed for the sale/supply of alcohol under the Licensing Act 2003
• licensed premises gaming machine permit – this is for the use of more than 2 machines in a premise licensed for the sale of alcohol under the Licensing Act 2003
• a club gaming machine permit – this can only be applied for by clubs recognised by The Gambling Act 2005; members' clubs, commercial clubs or miners' welfare institutes
• club gaming permit – this can only be applied for by clubs excluding commercial clubs
• an unlicensed family entertainment centre permit 
• a family entertainment centre licence
• adult gaming centre licence
• betting shop licence
• bingo premises licence
• casino premises licence.

No

You cannot provide gaming machines if you do not meet the above criteria or do hold the correct authorisation.

For example, you cannot provide gaming machines in:

• taxi offices
• takeaways
• restaurants
• shops
• office blocks
• launderettes.

The Gambling Commission provides further guidance on gaming machines.

Gambling Commission (external website)

The HM Revenue and Customs website provides further information on rates for the siting of gaming machines.

HM Revenues and Customs (external website)

How many and what type of gaming machines can I have?

The number of gaming machines that a premise can have is dependent on the authorisation that it holds. See the table below, the premises may not have machines marked with an X.

* with option of maximum £20,000 linked progressive jackpot on premises basis only

** Government considers the future of these machines to be unresolved pending further work which is already underway.

You are allowed to site skills with prizes machines and game machines in any premise.

For example:

• quiz machines
• crane grabbers
• pin ball machines
• pac man
• computer games.

Please note it is not a skill with prizes machine if it is made to look like a game of chance.

For example:

• roulette
• black jack
• bingo
• poker.

Further guidance on gaming machines can be found on the following website:

Gambling Commission (external website)

For further information on rates for the siting of gaming machines you can view the following website:

HM Revenues and Customs (external website)

How do I apply for a gaming machine notification?

Premises licensed under the Licensing Act 2003 for the sale of alcohol on the premises and used primarily for alcohol sales can apply for their automatic right to provide up to two categories C or D gaming machines.

The person or company who holds the premise licence issued under the Licensing Act 2003 can make the application to the licensing team by submitting:

• a completed and signed application form below: Notification of gaming machine application form (pdf 97kb opens in new window)

• a fee of £50.

The application may be submitted to:

Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

Post to: 

Licensing Team
County Hall
Cross Street
Beverley
East Riding of Yorkshire
HU17 9BA

or by submitting the application at any local customer service centre. Please use our customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

Applicants can pay by cheque made payable to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, by card over the telephone on (01482) 396297, or at a cashiers at a local Customer Service Centre. Please use our customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

Once your application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a permit by post. This must be displayed in a prominent position at the premise.  It is the responsibility of the licence holder to ensure that they comply with the codes of practice for the location and operation of gaming machines as set out in the Gambling Act 2005.

The notification will not expire unless the premises licence holder changes. Notifications are not transferable so a new notification application must be submitted by the new premises licence holder.

The Gambling Commission (external website)

HM Revenues and Customs website can provide further information on rates for the siting of gaming machines

HM Revenues and Customs (external website)

How do I apply for a gaming machine permit?

Premises licensed under the Licensing Act 2003 for the sale of alcohol on the premises used primarily for alcohol sales can apply to provide more than two categories C or D gaming machines.

Each application will be considered separately and the number of machines authorised will depend on the size of the premise, this is to ensure that the main use of the premise does not become gaming.

The person or company who holds the premise licence issued under the Licensing Act 2003 can make the application to the licensing team by submitting:

• a completed and signed application form below Gaming machine permit application (pdf 96kb opens in new window)

• fee of £150.

Applicants can submit the application by:

Email:  licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

Post to:

Licensing Team
County Hall
Cross Street
Beverley
East Riding of Yorkshire
HU17 9BA.

Alternatively, you can submit the application at any local customer service centre. Please use our customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

You can pay by cheque made payable to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, by card over the telephone 01482 396297, or at a cashiers at a local customer service centre. Please use our customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

Once your application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a permit by post. This must be displayed in a prominent position at the premise.  It is the responsibility of the licence holder to ensure that the machines are sited and run in line with the codes of practice.

An annual fee of £50 will be due within 30 days of the grant of the permit and then annually on or before the date the permit was granted.

Please note, failure to pay the annual fee will result in the automatic lapse of the permit and the machines cannot be used until a new application had been submitted and granted.

A permit would also lapse in the event that the premises licence holder changes. As permits are not transferable, a new permit application must be submitted by the new licence holder.

The HM Revenue and Customs website provides further information on rates for the siting of gaming machines.

HM Revenues and Customs (external website)

How do I apply for a club machine permit?

There are 3 categories of club:

• members' clubs
• commercial clubs
• miners' welfare clubs.

Both members and commercial clubs have to have at least 25 members and be established permanently. Clubs must normally be established for a purpose over than the provision of facilities for gaming, however, it is possible for a club to be established for conducting gaming of a prescribed kind so long as no other gaming is carried on.

If the applicant only intends to provide gaming machines and no other gaming facilities which are available under a club gaming permit you should apply for a club machine permit.

A club machine permit allows a club to have 3 gaming machines of categories B3A, B4, C and D. Commercial clubs are not permitted to have category B3A machines on the premises. Any existing registration certificates under parts 2 and 3 of the Gaming Act 1968 will be able to operate until those certificates expire.

To apply for a club gaming permit the applicant must complete the application and submit it to the licensing team along with the fee of £200. Applicants that hold a Club Premises Certificateissued under the Licensing Act 2003 can apply under a fast track procedure.

Club Machine Permit application form (pdf 38kb opens in new window)

A copy of the application must be sent to the Gambling Commission and the police within 7 days. These organisations have 28 days from the acceptance of the application form to make a representation. If a representation is made then it will have to be heard by the licensing committee. If the applicant is applying under the fast track procedure they do not have to serve a copy of the application on the responsible authorities.

List of responsible authorities (pdf 95kb opens in new window)

Applications can be submitted by post to the Licensing Team, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Cross Street, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU17 9BA or via a customer service centre. Please use our customer service centrefinder to locate your nearest centre.

Payment can be made by cheque made payable to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, by credit or debit card over the telephone or at cashiers at a customer service centre.

A permit can be refused if the applicant is not a qualifying club or miners welfare institute or if the premises is mainly used by children or young people.; A permit can also be refused if the applicant has a previous gaming related conviction, has breached a condition of the permit, or where a previous permit has been cancelled within the last 10 years, or objections are received from the Gambling Commission or police.

If the application is refused the applicant will received notification with a statement of reason for the refusal.

If the application is granted the permit will be sent to the applicant by post. The holder of the permit must comply with the codes of practice for the location and operation of gaming machines as set out in the Gambling Act 2003 and no person under the age of 18 shall use a category C or B machine.

The permit will be issued for 10 years. Applicants that applied under the fast track procedure will be issued a licence indefinitely as long as the club premises certificate remains in force.

An annual fee of £50 is payable within 30 days after the application is made and then annually on the grant date of the permit.  If the annual fee is not paid the permit will lapse.  The permit would also lapse if it is surrendered, cancelled or forfeited.

How do I pay?

Pay annual fee online 

You can submit a cheque made payable to East Riding of Yorkshire Council with your application form and supporting documentation, or alternatively you can pay using a credit or debit card on (01482) 396297.

You can also visit any customer service centre located across the East Riding, were you can submit your application fee and payment together.

How do I apply to transfer my gaming machine permit?

An application can be made to the licensing team to transfer the licence holder of either a gaming machine permit or a club machine permit, you will need to submit the below:

• a completed and signed application form attach transfer application)
• a fee of £25
• confirmation that the Licensing Act 2003 premises licence have been transferred accordingly
• the existing permit.

You can submit the application by post to:

Licensing Team
County Hall
Cross Street
Beverley
East Riding of Yorkshire
HU17 9BA.

or alternatively, you can hand in your application at any customer service centre. Please use our customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

Once the transfer has been processed a new permit will be issued for you.

Who enforces and regulates gaming machines?

Gaming machines must be authorised by the terms of The Gambling Act 2005. The responsibility for regulating the use of machines is usually under taken by the local licensing authority.

The Gambling Commission (external website)can provide useful information relating to enforcing and regulating gaming machines.

The council's licensing team ensure compliance with the regulations and deal with the illegal use of gaming machines.

If you want to report a potentially illegal gaming machine you can contact the licensing team.

Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

Please provide as much information as possible to enable a full investigation.

What happens if I do not apply for a gaming machine permit/notification?

The Licensing Authority may take enforcement action against you, including the seizure of unlicensed gaming machines.

All enforcement action taken is done so in line with our licensing policy