Apply for a club gaming or club machine permit

Certain clubs can apply for either a club gaming permit or a club machine permit. 

Club gaming permits

You can apply for a club gaming permit if you’re a: 

• members’ club
• miners’ welfare institute 

You cannot apply for a club gaming permit if you’re a: 

• commercial club 

This permit allows the club to offer: 

• equal chance gaming, such as poker and bingo
• games of chance, pontoon and chemin de fer only
• up to 3 gaming machines of categories B3A, B4, C or D - by agreement, only one machine can be category B3A 

Gaming restrictions that apply are: 

• a bingo stakes and prizes limit of £2,000 in any 7-day period
• no other limits on stakes or prizes 

Participation fee limits that apply are: 

• £20 per person, per day for bridge and whist - If played on a day when no other types of gamin) are provided by the club
• £3 per person, per day for other gaming, such as poker, in all other circumstances 

Club machine permits

You can apply for a club machine permit if you’re a: 

• members’ club
• miners’ welfare institute
• commercial club 

This permit allows the club to offer: 

• equal chance gaming, such as poker and bingo
• up to 3 gaming machines of categories B3A, B4, C or D - by agreement, only one machine can be category B3A (B3A not permitted for commercial clubs) 

Gaming restrictions that apply are: 

• a bingo stakes and prizes limit of £2,000 in any 7-day period
• a poker stakes limit of £10 per person, per game
• a poker prizes limit of £250 per game
• a poker stakes limit of £250 per premises, per day
• a poker stakes limit of £1,000 per premises, per week 

Participation fee limits that apply are: 

• £18 per person, per day for bridge and whist - If played on a day when no other types of gamin) are provided by the club
• £1 per person, per day for other gaming, such as poker and £3 for commercial clubs 

Types of club 

Members' clubs 

Members' clubs: 

• must have at least 25 members
• be established or conducted mainly for purposes other than gaming
• should not be established to make a commercial profit
• should be controlled by its members 

Examples include: 

• most sports clubs
• working men's clubs
• branches of the Royal British Legion
• politically affiliated clubs 

We discount clubs used wholly or mainly by children and young people. 

Commercial clubs

Commercial clubs: 

• have the same characteristics as members’ clubs
• are established to make a profit
• examples include a snooker club
• include certain bridge and whist clubs if they’re established to make a profit 

Permit fees

You must pay an annual fee for a club gaming or club machine permit: 

• the fee for a new permit is due within 30 days of us granting it
• the renewal fee is due every year on after that
• if you do not pay your annual fee, we may revoke your permit 

Both types of permit last for 10 years unless they’re granted under the fast-track procedure. 

Fast-track procedure

You can apply through the fast-track procedure if your club holds a club premises certificate under the Licensing Act 2003. 

Permits issued through the fast-track procedure lasts until it’s: 

• revoked
• lapsed
• surrendered 

Renewals

If your permit was not granted under the fast track procedure but your club is now eligible because you have a club premises certificate, you can renew under the fast track procedure.

Charges

Apply for a permit

When to apply

To meet legal requirements, you must submit your permit renewal request: 

• at least 6 weeks before it expires
• no more than 3 months before it expires 

Apply online

To submit your permit application or renewal you need to apply through our online licensing system. You’ll need to create an account if you’re not already registered.

Apply by post

We accept postal applications. 

If you need a printed application or renewal form, email us at licensing@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

More information

Find more information on the Gambling Commission website