Licences from the Gambling Commission

From 2007 gambling operators require an operating licence and any relevant personal licences from the Gambling Commission.

Once these have been applied for, operators can then apply for a premises licence from the council.

To apply for operating licences and personal licences online, go to the Gambling Commission website.

Operating Licences

These authorise individuals and companies to provide specified types of gambling or gambling facilities. The types of licence which may be issued by the Gambling Commission are:

• Casino operating licence

• Bingo operating licence

• General betting operating licence

• Pool betting operating licence, for example the Tote

• Betting intermediary operating licence

• Gaming machine general operating licence, for adult gaming centres or family entertainment centres

• Gaming machine technical operating licence, for machine manufacturers

• Gambling software operating licence

• Lottery operating licence

Personal Licences

These are also issued by the Gambling Commission. It is a mandatory condition of an Operating Licence that at least one person holds a management office and that person must hold a Personal Licence.

There is an exemption from the requirement to hold a Personal Licence for "small scale" operators. In general terms, a small scale operator is defined as a business having no more than three qualifying management positions.

The purpose of the Personal Licence is to ensure that individuals who control gambling facilities are fit and proper persons. Personal Licenses last indefinitely and are not transferable.

About the Gambling Commission

The Gambling Commission is the new national gambling regulator, established under the Gambling Act 2005. It replaces the Gaming Board for Great Britain and has taken on wider functions.

The Commission will ensure compliance with licences and the associated codes of practice.

It will investigate and prosecute illegal gambling providers and give guidance to local licensing authorities on how they should carry out their functions under the Act.

The Gambling Appeals Tribunal is an independent body set up to hear appeals against the decisions of the Gambling Commission.