Club gaming permit and machine permit requirements

Under the Gambling Act 2005 clubs do not have to have an alcohol licence to apply for a gambling permit.

Members' clubs

Members' clubs can apply to their local licensing authority for either a club gaming permit or a club machine permit.

Members clubs must have at least 25 members and be established and conducted 'wholly or mainly' for purposes other than gaming (excluding bridge or whist clubs).

A club must be permanent in nature, not established to make commercial profit, and controlled by its members equally. Examples include working men's clubs, branches of the Royal British Legion and clubs with political affiliations.

Commercial clubs

Commercial clubs can apply to their licensing authority for a club machine permit.

Commercial clubs have the same characteristics as members' clubs, but they are established with a view to making a profit. An example of a commercial club is a snooker club.

Miners' welfare institutes

Miners' welfare institutes can apply to their local licensing authority for either a club gaming permit or a club machine permit.

Miners' welfare institutes are associations established for recreational or social purposes.

They are managed by representatives of miners, or use premises regulated by a charitable trust which has received funds from one of a number of mining organisations.