Prize Gaming Permits

Prize Gaming occurs where the organiser puts up the prizes in advance where neither the nature nor the size of the prize is determined by the number of people playing or the amount paid for or raised by the gaming.

Requirements

The permit is subject to the following conditions:

Participation fees are not to exceed those prescribed (£1 maximum participation fee that maybe charged for any one chance to win a prize in a game. This maximum applies even where a single chance affords the player the opportunity to win more than one prize).

All the chances to participate in a particular game must be acquired or allocated on one day and in the place where the game is played. (There is a limit of £500 on the aggregate amount of the participation fees that maybe charged in a particular game).

The game must be played entirely on that day.

The result of the game must be made public:

• in the place where the game is played; and
• as soon as is reasonably practicable after the game ends and in any event on the day on which it is played.

A prize for which a game is played or the aggregate of the prizes for which a game is played (all prizes must not exceed £500):

• where all the prizes are money, must not exceed the prescribed amount (the amount of any one prize must not exceed £70; and
• in any other case the prizes must not exceed the prescribed amount (the amount of any one prize must not exceed £70).

Participation in the game by a person does not entitle them or another person to participate in any other gambling (whether or not they or another person would also have to pay in order to participate in other gambling).

Duration

The permit is for 10 years. An application for renewal may be made between two and six months prior to its expiry. There is no annual fee.

Existing operators

Your existing permission (Section 16 Permits issued under Schedule 3 of the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976) will automatically be renewed until 31 August 2007. To continue to operate after that date you will need to apply for a Prize Gaming Permit.

Exemptions

If you are applying for a Premises Licence (Bingo, Adult Gaming Centres and Family Entertainment Centres) your new licence will authorise you to hold prize gaming.

Travelling Fairs are also exempt under the Gambling Act 2005.

Application process

An application for a Prize Gaming Permit can be made by an individual (who must be at least 18 years old) or a limited company. They either must be in occupation of the premises or intending to be so.

Applicants can apply to the Licensing Authority (Plymouth City Council).

Prize Gaming Permit [9KB]

Who cannot apply

Holders of a Premises Licence under the Gambling Act 2005 or holders of Club Gaming Permits may not apply for Prize Gaming Permits.

Issuing of a permit

We cannot grant a permit unless we have consulted the police and cannot refuse it unless we have notified the applicant of our intention to do so and given the applicant the opportunity to make an oral and or written representation.

The Licensing Authority is not allowed to attach conditions to a prize gaming permit.

You can't transfer the permit to a new operator; a new application would have to be made.

Prize gaming permits cannot be issued for vessels or vehicles.

Gaming machines

Prize Gaming Permits do not authorise the use of any gaming machines.