Apply for a premises gambling licence

When you need a licence

You need a premises gambling licence for any premises where an individual or company wants to offer premises-based gambling. We issue licences in respect of specific premises.

Licence types

There are several licence types:

• casino premises licence
• bingo premises licence
• adult gaming centre premises licence - allows Category B gaming machines
• family entertainment centre premises licence - allows Category C gaming machines
• betting premises licence - allows making, accepting and intermediating bets

Provisional statement

You can apply for a provisional statement for a premises if you’re expecting:

• it to be constructed or altered
• to have the right to occupy it

If you apply for a provisional statement, you do not need to have an operating licence from the Gambling Commission or a right to occupy the premises.

A provisional statement provides:

• a level of assurance about the outcome of a future licence application
• the holder with some protection against representations when they make a licence application for that premises

Who can apply

You can apply as an Individual, company or partnership if you are aged over 18 and:

• have the right to occupy the premises
• have, or have applied for, a licence from the Gambling Commission to carry out the proposed activity

A licence authorises you for one type of gambling activity only.

We cannot issue a licence for a premises that already has one.

Licence fees

There are fees for a premises gambling licence and for a provisional statement.

View the fee schedule for premises gambling licences and permits:

Apply for a licence

To apply for a premises gambling licence:

Download and complete the premises gambling licence application form:

Return your completed form to us by email at licensing@toyalgreenwich.gov.uk or by post to the Licensing Team at The Woolwich Centre.

To apply for a provisional statement:

Download and complete the gambling provisional statement application form:

Compulsory advertisement

You must advertise your application if it’s for a:

• new licence
• variation
• non-fast track licence conversion
• provisional statement

To advertise your application you’ll need to:

1. Download and display the relevant notice at your premises.

2. Place an advert in a local newspaper.

Read our guide to placing newspaper adverts:

Consulting with responsible authorities

As part of the licensing process for a premises gambling licence, there are certain council departments and other organisations that need to be consulted. These are known as responsible authorities.

Find out more about responsible authorities for gambling licence applications

Temporary use notices

If you’re a licensed operator and wants to temporarily use a non-licensed premises for gambling, you need to apply for a temporary use notice.

Suitable premises include:

• hotels
• conference centres
• sporting venues

You must only provide:

• the type of gambling you’re licensed for
• gambling at a single premises for a total of 21 days in any 12-month period whether that’s under one notice or multiple notices

If you exceed 21 days, we’ll issue you with a counter notice that has the effect of stopping the temporary use notice coming into effect.

It’s a criminal offence not to comply with a counter notice. 

Contact us to apply.