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Gambling premises licence


Contents

Gambling Policy 

Cornwall Council as Licensing Authority, is responsible for licensing and regulation of local gambling.

The Council deals with a number of functions in relation to gambling activities including:

  • bingo
  • betting
  • adult gaming
  • family entertainment centres
  • gaming machines
  • lotteries

The Council is required to publish a Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act (referred to as the gambling ‘policy’). This policy must be reviewed every 3 years.

The current policy came info effect on  31 January 2025. This will remain in effect until 31 January 2028, unless amended in the interim. View the current Policy

 

Types of licences issued under the Gambling Act

There are three types of licences issued under the Gambling Act:

Operating Licence

Required by individuals or companies who intend to provide facilities for gambling.

This is granted by the Gambling Commission.

Personal Licence

Required by:

  • directors/managers (Personal Management Licence)
  • those performing operational functions e.g. croupiers (Personal Functional Licence).

All personal licences are granted by the Gambling Commission.

Premises Licences

Required for premises where gambling will take place.

Premises licences are issued by us as the licensing authority.

The Gambling Act regulates various types of gambling and gaming.  Further information can be found on the links below.

Please contact licensing services for more information.

The Gambling Act

Gambling premises are regulated by the Gambling Act 2005.  The Gambling Act came into force on 1 September 2007 and seeks to:

  • strengthen consumer protection in relation to gambling
  • whilst reducing the burden of regulation.

In doing so it replaces the provisions of three existing Acts of Parliament:

  • The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963
  • The Gaming Act 1968
  • The Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976

The Gambling Act 2005 sets three licensing objectives:

  • Preventing gambling from
    • being a source of crime or disorder,
    • being associated with crime or disorder
    • or being used to support crime;
  • Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and
  • Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling

The Gambling Act 2005 also set up a new regulator, the Gambling Commission, with powers to deal with gambling offences.

Remote gambling means gambling in which persons participate by the use of remote communication.  In order to operate a remote gambling operation, there must be in force a remote operating licence issued by the Gambling Commission. Please visit the Gambling Commission website for more information.

The Gambling Act 2005 requires licensing authorities to produce a Statement of Principles. 

View Cornwall Council's current Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles.

General information about premises licences.

Except in the case of tracks, an operator may only apply to the licensing authority for the grant of a premises licence once he/she has been granted an operators licence by the Gambling Commission.

Generally only one premises licence may be in force at any one time. This is in order to limit the principal activity to a particular type of gambling. The exception to this is in respect of tracks. A premises licence for the track may be in force at the same time as one for a licensed betting office situated on the track premises.

Licensing authorities must aim to permit gambling. This is providing that the proposed operation is in accordance with the:

  • Codes of Practice
  • and guidance issued by the Gambling Commission
  • and consistent with the licensing objectives
  • and the licensing authority's Statement of Principles.

A premises licence will not be time limited. However, it may be surrendered or subject to review following representations from an interested party or responsible authority.

A premise licence shall be revoked if the licence holder fails to pay the relevant annual fee.

A premises licence may be transferred to another holder of an operators licence. However, this can only be transferred if that operators licence is for an equivalent activity.

For further information on each type of premises licence, please follow the links below:

  • Casino Premises Licence
  • Bingo Premises Licence
  • Adult Gambling Centre Premises Licence
  • Family Entertainment Centre Premises Licence
  • Betting Premises Licence

What must be contained in a premises licence?

A premises licence must:

  1. specify the name of the person to whom it is issued
  2. specify a home or business address of that person
  3. specify the premises to which it relates
  4. specify the activities authorised to be made available on the premises
  5. specify any conditions attached by the licensing authority
  6. specify any default conditions that have been excluded by the licensing authority
  7. include a plan
  8. if the period of life of the premises licence is time limited, specify the period that the licence will be in force

The licensing authority must:

  • maintain a register of premises licences issued by the authority. This must be together with such information as is prescribed.
  • The register must be available at all reasonable times
  • and the authority must make arrangements for providing a copy of any entry in the register to a member of the public on request.

Please visit the Application Forms page for all gambling premises forms.

Fees

Please view the current licensing fees and charges to find out how much you will need to pay.

The licensing authority may also issue:

Factsheets and guidance on issues covered by the Gambling Act

Further information about gambling

Need help?

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