Club Gaming And Club Machine Permits

Applicants are strongly urged to complete online applications as the default position. Post is not being opened as frequently, therefore applications posted to us may not be received or considered promptly. Should you be making a representation to an application please email this to us. The licensing team can be contacted at licensing@spelthorne.gov.uk or 01784 444213 option 3.

The Gambling Act 2005 recognises:

Members' clubs

Members' clubs must have at least 25 members and be established or conducted mainly for purposes other than gaming.

The club shouldn't be established to make a commercial profit, and should be controlled by its members. Examples include most sports clubs, working men's clubs, branches of the Royal British Legion and politically affiliated clubs.

Commercial clubs

These have the same characteristics as members clubs, except that they are established to make a profit. An example would be a snooker club. Certain bridge and whist clubs may operate as commercial clubs if they are established to make a profit.

Under Section 271 of the Act,the Council may grant members' clubs (but not commercial clubs) Club Gaming Permits which authorise them to provide gaming machines, equal chance gaming and games of chance as prescribed in regulations.

This is in addition to the exempt gaming authorisation under Section 269 of the Act.

Three gaming machines

Club Gaming Permits allow the provision of no more than three gaming machines. These may be from Categories B4, C or D. The club is permitted to choose the combination of machines on its premises.

If a club doesn't wish to have the full range of facilities permitted by a Club Gaming Permit, or if they are a Commercial Club not permitted to provide non-machine gaming (other than exempt gaming under Section 269 of the Act), they may apply to us for a Club Machine Permit under Section 273 of the Act.

This authorises the holder to have up to three gaming machines of Categories B4, C and D.

Club Gaming Permits replace the permissions provided by Part II registration under the 1968 Gaming Act, while Club Machine Permits replace the permissions provided by Part III registration under the 1968 Act.

Transitional arrangements

Before 31 August 2007, you may apply to the Magistrates Court to renew existing Part II and Part III Registrations, or for the first registration, in the normal way.

New arrangements

After 1 September 2007, the following arrangements will apply:

• a Club registered under Part II will be treated as if it holds a Club Gaming Permit under the Act
• a Club registered under Part III will be treated as if it holds a Club Machine Permit under the Act

These arrangements will expire on the date on which your current registration is due to expire. You may apply to us for the relevant Club Permit under the Act any time before your existing permission expires.

At that stage, the club registration will be converted into an actual Club Gaming or Club Machine Permit.

Fees

There are fees for this process.

Once released by the Government, application forms for Club Permits will be available from this page.