Gaming licences

What is club gaming?

Club gaming permits allow the holder to have no more than three gaming machines in total. Members' clubs and miners' welfare clubs may have machines from categories B4, C or D and only one B3A machine.

It also allows for the provision of equal chance gaming subject to the conditions for exempt gaming, except that the limit on stakes and prizes is removed. The provision of games of chance as prescribed in regulations is also allowed.

The provision of gambling at clubs in reliance on a club gaming permit will be subject to the conditions listed below:

For equal chance gaming

• the same conditions as for exempt gaming described below apply, with the exception
• that any limit on stakes and prizes does not apply.

For other games of chance

• the games offered are limited to those prescribed in regulations
• there is no participation fee charged otherwise than in accordance with regulations
• that no amount is deducted from sums staked or won otherwise than in accordance with any regulations made by the Secretary of State (current proposals are not to exercise this power at present).

Conditions for gaming machines

• no child or young person (under 18) can use category B or C machines on the premises
• the permit holder needs to comply with any relevant provision of the Gambling Commission code of practice regarding the location and operation of gaming machines.

Conditions for all gaming

• the public, children and young persons are excluded from any area in which gaming is taking place
• in the case of members’ clubs and miners’ welfare institutes only, those taking part in the gaming must be a member of the club who applied for, or was nominated for membership at least 48 hours prior to participating, or who are a guest of a member.

In order to qualify for exemption, the gaming in a club must meet the conditions set out in Section 269 of the Act:

• it must be equal chance gaming, as defined in part 1 of the Act (examples would include bingo, poker or bridge)
• stakes and prizes must be in accordance with any rules or limits prescribed in regulations
• the club must not deduct any amounts from sums staked or won in the gaming
• any charge for participation must not exceed amounts prescribed in regulations
• the games played may only take place on one set of premises, meaning there may not
• by any linking of games between premises: Games may be considered linked if the game is split by sites so that part of one game is played elsewhere and: The result of one game is, or may be wholly or partly determined by reference to the result of the other game
• the amount of winnings is wholly or partly determined by the participation of more than one set of players
• in the case of members’ clubs and miners’ welfare institutes only, people may only participate in the gaming if they have been a member (or applied or were nominated for membership) at least 48 hours before playing, or who are genuine guests of such a person.

Who can apply for a club gaming permit?

A members’ club or miners’ welfare institute may apply to the licensing team for a club gaming permit.

Members’ clubs must have at least 25 members and be established and conducted “wholly or mainly” for purposes other than gaming, unless the gaming is permitted by separate regulations. This covers bridge and whist clubs. A members’ club must be permanent in nature, not established to make commercial profit and is controlled by its members equally. Examples include working men's clubs, branches of the Royal British Legion and clubs with political affiliations.

With regard to miners’ welfare institutes, the definition of this class of club has changed to reflect social and economic changes since their establishment. These are associations:

• established for recreational or social purposes
• miners or use premises regulated by a charitable trust which has received funds from one of a number of mining organisations.

How do I apply for a club gaming permit?

To apply for a club machine permit you must complete the application form and send it to the licensing team along with the fee of £200. (If you already hold a club premises certificate issued under the Licensing Act 2003 you can apply under the fast-track procedure.

Gaming Machine permit application (pdf 204kb)

Applications can be submitted to:

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

Or submitted at one of the local customer service centres. 

Payment can be made by cheque made payable to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, by credit or debit card over the telephone:

Tel: (01482) 396297 or at a cashier at one of the local customer service centres.

Please use our customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

If you are applying under the fast-track procedure this means that you do not have to send a copy of your application to the Gambling Commission or the Police and there is no provision for objections to your application.

The applicant can only be refused in the following circumstances:

• that the applicant is established or conducted wholly or mainly for the purposes of the provision of facilities for gaming, other than gaming of a prescribed kind
• that the applicant is established or conducted wholly or mainly for the purposes of the provision of facilities for gaming of a prescribed kind and also provides facilities for gaming of another kind, or
• that a club gaming permit issued to the applicant has been cancelled during the period of 10 years ending with the date of the application. If such circumstances we must hold a hearing to consider the application in light of the above.

All other applicants must within a period of 7 days (beginning on the date on which the application is made) send a copy the application to the Gambling Commission and the Police.

Gambling Commission

Email: info@gamblingcommission.gov.uk

Tel: 0121 230 6500
Fax: 0121 233 1096

Gambling Commission
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
B2 4BP.

Humberside Police Licensing Section

Email: communitieslicensing@humberside.pnn.police.uk

The Police and Gambling Commission has 28 days to make any objection.

At the end of the 28-day period, the application may be granted or refused. We may only refuse an application for a permit on one or more of the following grounds:

• that the applicant is not a members’ club or a miners’ welfare institute
• that the premises on which the applicant conducts its activities are used wholly or mainly by children, by young persons or by both
• that an offence, or a breach of a condition of a permit, has been committed in the course of gaming activities carried on by the applicant
• that a permit held by the applicant has been cancelled during the period of 10 years ending with the date of the application, or
• that an objection to the application has been received from either the police or the Gambling Commission.

Before refusing an application we must hold a hearing to consider the application and any objection received per above. If your application is refused you will be informed in writing along with the reason for the refusal.

If your application is granted you will be sent your permit in the post, the permit must be put on display in a prominent position at the premises and all gaming must be run in line with the codes of practice as set out in the Gambling Act 2005.

A permit lasts for 10 years unless applied for under the fast-track procedure when it will last indefinitely. There is an annual fee of £50. The first annual fee must be paid within 30 days of the permit being granted. The annual fee must then be paid on or before the anniversary of the grant date each year. If the annual fee is not paid the permit will lapse.

A permit will also lapse if the holder of the permit stops being a club or miners’ welfare institute, or if it no longer qualifies under the fast-track system for a permit. In addition, a permit will cease to have an effect upon being surrendered.

What is prize gaming?

Prize gaming is gaming where the nature and size of the prize available is not determined by either:

• the number of people playing
• the amount paid for or raised by the gaming

It is, therefore, gaming where the organiser puts up the prizes in advance, as distinct from gaming where the stakes of the participants make up the winnings. Prize gaming is intended to permit low level gaming for small participation fees and modest prizes. Bingo played at seaside amusement arcades is typical of this type of gaming.

Prize gaming permits can be issued by the licensing team, to those who occupy, or plan to occupy the relevant premise, if the premises does not already have an existing premises licence or a club gaming permit. The applicant must be over 18 years of age. Permits cannot be issued to vehicles or vessels.

The following premises would not require a separate prize gaming permit as they are already authorised to offer prize gaming subject to certain conditions:

• holder of an adult gaming centre Premises Licence
• holder of a family entertainment centre premises licence (FEC)
• holder of a unlicensed family entertainment centre machine permit (UFEC)
• travelling fairs
• bingo halls.

How do I apply for a prize gaming permit?

If you need to obtain a prize gaming permit, you will need to provide evidence of:

• the types of gaming that you intend to offer
• the ability to demonstrate that you understand the limits to stakes and prizes that are set out in regulations
• that the gaming offered is within the law.

Applicants will have to complete the application and submit it to the licensing team along with the fee of £300.

Prize gaming permit application form (pdf 119kb)

Applications can be submitted by:

Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

Posting to: 

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

or submitted at one of the local customer service centres. Please use our customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

Payment can be made by cheque made payable to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, by credit or debit card on (01482) 396297 or at a cashiers at one of the local customer service centres. Please use our customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

The licensing team consult with the Gambling Commission and the Police.

The Police and Gambling Commission have 28 days to make any objection.

At the end of the 28 day period the application may be granted or refused.

The police and the Gambling Commission can make objections to the application. Objections must be relevant to the licensing objectives these are:

• preventing gambling for being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder, or being used to support crime
• ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
• protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The licensing team will then either grant or refuse the application. If the application is refused the applicant will be notified in writing with the reason for the decision and given the chance to make a representation.

If you application is granted you will be sent your permit in the post, the permit must be put on display in a prominent position at the premises. A permit lasts for 10 years and there is no annual fee.

What is exempt gaming?

Some gaming is exempt under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005. There are provisions for bingo, casino nights, race nights, poker, gaming in clubs and gaming and gaming machines in alcohol licensed premises.

The Gambling Commission’s website provides useful information information on exempt gaming:

Gambling Commission - Bingo (external website)

Gambling Commission - Casino Nights (external website)

Gambling Commission - Poker (external website)

Gambling Commission - Raising Money for good causes (external website)

Where can I organise or play poker? - Gambling Commission website (external website)

How do I renew my gaming permission?

A permit lasts for ten years unless applied for under the fast-track procedure when it will last indefinitely.

For club gaming permits there is an annual fee of £50 the first annual fee must be paid within 30 days of the permit being granted. The annual fee must then be paid on or before the anniversary of the grant date each year. If the annual fee is not paid the permit will lapse.

An application to renew a permit must be submitted to the licensing department no earlier than three months and no later than six weeks before the date that the permit is due to expire.

To renew you must complete the application and return it to the licensing team along with the fee and the original permit.

Prize Gaming permit Application (pdf 119kb)

Applications can be submitted directly to:

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

or via a local customer service centre. Please use our customer service centre finder  to locate your nearest centre.

Payment can be made by cheque made payable to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, by credit or debit card on (01482) 396297 or at a cashier at one of the local customer service centres. 

Please use our customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

How do I pay my annual fee?

A permit lasts for 10 years unless applied for under the fast-track procedure when it will last indefinitely. There is an annual fee of £50 the first annual fee must be paid within 30 days of the permit being granted. The annual fee must then be paid on or before the anniversary of the grant date each year. If the annual fee is not paid the permit will lapse.

Pay my annual fee online

Payment can be made by credit or debit card on (01482) 396297.

Who regulates gaming?

The Gambling Act 2005 Regulates gaming in the following situations; arcades, bingo, betting, gaming machines, lotteries, race tracks, gaming, casinos and United Kingdom based remote gambling. It does not regulate the National Lottery.

The Gambling Act 2005 has 3 objectives these are:

• preventing gambling for being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder, or being used to support crime
• ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
• protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The following organisations are responsible for the day to day regulating the Gambling Act 2005:

• The Gambling Commission
• The Local Licensing Authority.

The Gambling Commission website can provide more information on their powers.

Gambling Commission (external website)

The Act covers 2 main activities:

• providing facilities for gambling
• using premises for gambling.

In either case, you must hold the appropriate permission. Permission may come from a licence, permit, or registration granted according to the Act, or from an exemption given by the Act.

How do I know if a gambling activity is authorised?

The licensing team keep a register of all the permits and licences that have been issued for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council area. These can be viewed in our public registers.

How do I report a suspicious gambling activity or make a complaint about an authorised premise?

If you want to report a suspicious gambling activity or make a complaint you can contact the licensing team. Please provide us with as much information as possible so that we can investigate the complaint:

Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

You may also want to report the issue to:

The Gambling Commission (external website)

There are a number of offences under the Gambling Act 2005. Please refer to the document available below:

Offences under the Gambling Act 2005 (pdf 71kb)

Enforcement Policy

All enforcement action carried out by the licensing team is done in line with the council’s enforcement policy.

Inspections

The licensing team carry out regular programmed and un-programmed inspections to ensure that gambling activities are being carried out in line with the Gambling Act 2005 regulations.