Gaming machines in members clubs
This section relates to members' clubs, commercial clubs and miners' welfare institutes.
The Gambling Act 2005 replaced the former system of Part II and Part III Registrations (issued by the Licensing Magistrates under the Gaming Act 1968) with two new permissions:
- Club Gaming Permit - this entitles clubs to offer up to a total of three gaming machines of category B3A, B4, C and D plus facilities for equal chance gaming (subject to certain limits and such games as are prescribed by the Secretary of State in regulations)
- Club Machine Permit - this entitles clubs to offer up to a total of three gaming machines of category B3A, B4, C and D. It will not however authorise the provision of any other facilities for gaming, (except for exempt gaming)
Existing operators
Your Part III Registration will continue to be valid until its expiry date and will be for a specified number of category B4 machines as detailed on your registration certificate.
You will need to apply for a new permit at least 2 months before the expiry date of your current registration and then you will automatically be entitled to a Club Machine Permit.
Your application will only be refused if you have failed to submit any information which must be given when the application is made.
There is a fee of £100 and all applications should be made to us at Licensing Team, Plymouth City Council, Armada Way, Plymouth PL1 2AA (cheques payable to Plymouth City Council).
Once granted, the permit is valid for 10 years after which a renewal fee will apply.
Holders of this permit will have to pay an annual fee of £50, and the first payment must be made within 30 days of the permit being issued.
New operators
If you wish to apply for gaming machines at your club you will need to make an application to us for the appropriate permit under the 2005 Act.
There is a fee of £200 for this procedure and all applications should be made to us at Licensing Team, Plymouth City Council, Armada Way, Plymouth PL1 2AA (cheques payable to Plymouth City Council).
Once granted, the permit is valid for 10 years after which a renewal fee will apply.
Holders of this permit will have to pay an annual fee of £50, and the first payment must be made within 30 days of the permit being issued.
Exempt gaming
Section 269 of the Gambling Act 2005 allows clubs to provide certain facilities for gaming without the need for a licence or permit. In order to qualify for this exemption the gaming must meet a number of conditions:
- It must be equal chance gaming
- Stakes and prizes must comply with any limits set in regulations
- The club must not deduct any amounts from sums staked or won
- Any charge for participation must not exceed amounts set by the Secretary of State
- The games played may only take place on one premises, so there may not be any linking of games between premises
- In the case of members' clubs, people may only participate in gaming if they have been a member (or applied or nominated for membership) for at least 48 hours before playing, or are genuine guests of such a person. Please see the guidance documents page for more details.
Code of Practice
All clubs which provide gaming machines must comply with any relevant Code of Practice issued by the Gambling Commission under Section 24 of the Gambling Act 2005.
Details can be downloaded from the Gambling Commission website.
Gaming machine categories
Gaming machines fall into categories depending on the maximum stake and prize available.