Permits for gaming machines
A gaming permit is needed for all premises providing amusements with prizes by way of machine.
Under the Gambling Act 2005, we as the Licensing Authority are responsible for issuing these permits.
A gaming permit can only be issued for an alcohol licensed premises or a members club under the Licensing Act 2003.
There are exceptions when a gaming permit is not required:
- skill with prizes machines (SWP) – where the player’s skill determines whether a prize is won
- amusement-only machine – where no money or token is paid out by the machine
Alcohol-licensed premises
Premises which are licensed to sell alcohol have an automatic entitlement to provide 2 gaming machines (Type C or D) without a permit.
You must inform the Licensing Unit of your automatic entitlement. You can do this by sending us an application form with your one-off fee of £50 by post or email. Cheques should be made payable to Walsall Council.
For premises that wish to have 2 or more gaming machines (Type C or D), you must get a licensed premises gaming machine permit.
You must submit a completed application to the Licensing Unit alongside the relevant fee.
The fee for a licensed premises gaming machine permit is £150. There is a £50 annual fee for the permit. The first annual fee is due within 30 days of the date of grant of the permit. The fee will then need to be paid every year.
Club premises
There are two types of permits which are available for club premises. They are both valid for 10 years.
Club Gaming Permit (CGP)
A CGP is available to members’ clubs or miners’ welfare institutes, but not commercial clubs. It allows the club to offer:
- equal chance gaming such as poker and bingo
- games of chance (pontoon and chemin de fer only)
- up to three gaming machines in categories B3A, B4, C or D
Club Machine Permit (CMP)
A CMP is available to members’ clubs, miners’ welfare institutes, and commercial clubs. It allows the club to offer:
- equal chance gaming such as poker and bingo
- up to three gaming machines in categories B3A, B4, C or D (B3A not permitted for commercial clubs
Fees
Fees for gaming machines vary. They include:
- notifying the council of gaming machines at a licensed premises costs £50
- licensed premises gaming machine permit (more than 2 machines) costs £200, including an annual fee
What happens if I don't have a licence
If you don't have a licence or breach your permit, you may be investigated. In some cases this leads to enforcement action.
