Gambling premises types and requirements

New Casino premises

It is not currently possible to make an application for a new casino licence in the Preston area.

Only specific councils have the permission to issue such licences.

Bingo

Bingo licensed premises may offer both cash and prize bingo, you must have:

• a maximum of 20% of the total number of gaming machines available for use on the premises can be categories B3 or B4
• any number of category C machines
• any number of category D machines

You must also ensure

• No person under the age of 18 is permitted to play bingo on the premises and if bingo halls admit under 18's they must have measures in place to prevent their access to any category B machines
• the admission charges, the charges for playing a game and the rules of the game must be prominently displayed.
• any ATM available for use in the premises must be sited so that customers have to stop gambling to use it

Betting premises (off track)

This is betting that does not take place on a race course. For example, the traditional 'bookmaker's shop'. You must ensure:

• no person under the age of 18 is allowed in the betting premises and the consumption of alcohol is prohibited as is music, dancing or other entertainment
• if there is an ATM on the premises it must be sited so that customers have to leave any gaming machine in order to use it
• up to four gaming machines of category B (B2, B3 and B4), C and D may be provide

Adult Gaming Centres (AGC's)

AGC's could be described as amusement arcades for adults as no person under the age of 18 is allowed to enter one. You must have:

• a maximum of 20% of the total number of gaming machines available for use on the premises can be categories B3 or B4
• any number of category C machines
• any number of category D machines
• consumption of alcohol is prohibited and if there is an ATM on the premises it must be sited so that customers have to stop gambling to use it.
• AGC's may also offer prize gaming which includes prize bingo.

Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centres (FEC's)

Family Entertainment Centres (FEC's) cater for families, including unaccompanied children and young people. They are most commonly found at:

• seaside resorts
• airports
• motorway service centres

Unlicensed FEC's are able to offer category D machines if they obtain a gaming machine permit from their local licensing authority.

Any number of category D machines can be made available with such a permit (subject to non-gambling considerations, such as fire regulations and health and safety).

Licensed Family Entertainment Centres (FEC's)

Licensed FEC's are amusement arcades that offer category C and category D machines.

Children and young persons are allowed to come in and play category D machines but you must ensure:

• There is clear separation from the category C machines, which may only be played by people over the age of 18. Over 18 areas must be separated by a barrier with prominently displayed notices stating that under 18's are not allowed in that area and the area must be supervised to ensure that under 18's do not access it
• If there is an ATM on the premises it must be sited so that customers have to stop gambling to use it. Licensed FEC's are also able to offer prize gaming, which includes prize bingo.
• If the FEC permit holder decides that they want to have Category C machines, in addition to Category D machines, they will have to apply for an Operating Licence from the Gambling Commission and then a gambling premises licence from us.
• A person will not be able to have both a FEC permit and a gambling premises licence so will have to make a choice over which machines they want to make available at their premises.

Are there any requirements for FEC's?

Yes, an application for a permit can only be made by a person who occupies or plans to occupy the premises to be used.

The premises must be within our authority boundary, Individual people applying for a permit must be aged 18 or older and holders of a gambling premises licence cannot make an application for a FEC permit for the same premises.