Gambling and gaming machines
Gaming machines
Pubs
Establishments with a premises licence authorising the sale of alcohol are automatically entitled to a maximum of two gaming machines (each of which may be category C or D) without the need for a permit or licence.
The licence holder will need to notify the council of the intention to provide these machines and pay the one off £50 fee.
You will need a gaming machine permit if you intend to use more than two gaming machines. There is no limit on the number of gaming machines that a licensed premises may apply for, but the council can restrict the number of gaming machines on individual premises.
Members clubs
Members only clubs may apply for a club machine permit to provide a maximum of three machines in categories B3A, B4, C and D (only one B3A allowed on each premise).
Commercial clubs
Commercial clubs are able to apply for a club machine permit for a maximum of three machines in categories B4, C or D.
Machines permitted in gambling licensed premises:
- Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centres – Family entertainment centres (with a permit issued by the council) are allowed to have an unlimited number of category D machines.
- Family entertainment centres -These premises are allowed an unlimited number of Category C or D machines. However, category C machines must not be made available to those under 18 years of age.
- Adult gaming centres – These premises are able to have an unlimited number of category C or D machines but only four category B3 or B4 machines.
- Bingo premises – These premises are able to have an unlimited number of category C or D machines but only eight category B3 or B4 machines.
- Betting premises – Betting premises may have a maximum of 4 machines in categories B2 to D (not B3A)
- Travelling fairs – There is no limit on category D machines for travelling fairs.
- Takeaways and taxi offices – These premises are not permitted to have any gaming machines on the premises.
Machine categories
| Category | Maximum stake | Maximum prize |
|---|---|---|
| A | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| B1 | £5 | £10,000 |
| B2 | £100 | £500 |
| B3 | £2 | £500 |
| B3a | £2 | £500 |
| B4 | £2 | £400 |
| C | £1 | £100 |
| D – Non-money price (other than a crane grab machine) | 30p | £8 |
| D – Non-money prize (crane grab machine) | £1 | £50 |
| D – Money price | 10p | £5 |
| D – Combined money prize and non-money prize | 10p | £8 (no more than £5 may be a money price) |
| D – Combined money prize and non-money prize (coin pusher or penny falls machine) | 20p | £20 (no more than £10 may be a money prize) |
Fees
| Application | Application Fee | Maintenance Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Notification of up to two machines | £50 | None |
| Notification of more than two machines | £150 | £50 |
| Club machine permit | £200 | £50 |
| Club machine permit (holders of club premises certificate) | £100 | £50 |
| Club machine permit for existing operator | £100 | £50 |
| Variation of club machine permit | £100 | N/A |
| Renewal of club machine permit | £200 | N/A |
| Renewal of club machine permit (holder of club premises certificate) | £100 | N/A |
| Copy of permit | £15 | N/A |
Gaming machines application for licensed premises – This includes notifications of up to two machines and applications for new, variations and transfers of existing permits
Gaming machine application form (Word document)
Poker tournaments
If you’d like to offer poker at your premises, you must following these legal guidelines.
- No charge or entry fee may be made for participating in pub poker and no deductions may be made from the stakes or prizes. This rule also applies to independent organisers of tournaments at your premises.
- A limited amount of low stakes, social poker may be played in licensed premises. There is a stakes limit of £5 per person per day and £100 per premises per day. The maximum prize for a game of poker is also £100.
- The gambling act prohibits linked gaming, so licensees should not host events where players are competing against players in other licensed premises for a prize.
- Poker may be played at non-commercial events. For example, a charity casino night where poker and equal chance gaming were provided could be organized to raise funds for charity.
Related content
Related documents
Gambling Act 2005 statement of licensing policy (Word)
Poker in pubs (PDF)
Guidance on undertaking a Local Area Risk Assessment and Local Area Profile (Word
Contact details
Licensing, Doughty road depot, Doughty road, North East Lincolnshire, DN32 0LL
Email: licensing@nelincs.gov.uk
Telephone: 01472 326299 option 2
Opening times: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm, except bank holidays