Gaming machine permit – family entertainment centre

Part of: Gambling permits

Premises which are entirely or mainly used for making gaming machines available for use, such as small arcades, are known as family entertainment centres (FEC). 

An FEC, under the Gambling Act 2005, may hold an FEC gaming machine permit. 

Category D machines 

Category D machines are the only ones that can be offered under this permit. 

They are the only type that children and young people are allowed to play.  

Any number of category D machines can be made available with the gaming machine permit. This is subject to other considerations, such as fire regulations and health and safety. 

Apply 

Please contact us for an application form. 

You will need to provide the following: 

  • a plan showing the premises layout
  • evidence that DBS checks are carried out for staff
  • evidence that appropriate measures/training are in place for staff to enable them to:
    • deal with suspected truant school children on the premises
    • deal with unsupervised very young children on the premises
    • have a full understanding of the maximum stakes and prizes permissible in unlicensed FECs
    • evidence of how the applicant would deal with children causing perceived problems on or around the premises
    • evidence that you can show a full understanding of the maximum stakes and prizes permissible in unlicensed FECs
    • evidence that you have no relevant convictions (those that are set out in schedule 7 of the Gambling Act 2005)

Fee 

£300.

Permit renewal

Your permit will last 10 years. To renew your permit, you need to follow the same process as applying for a new one.

The renewal fee is £300.

Category C machines

If you wish to make category C machines available as well as category D machines, you will need to:

  1. apply for an operating licence from the Gambling Commission.
  2. apply for a gambling premises licence from us.

Contact the licensing team