Gambling Premises Licence

Amusement arcades are divided into three types:

Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs)

An AGC can offer up to 4 Category B3/4 machines and an unlimited number of Category C and D machines. See the Gambling Commission's Gaming Machines section for definitions of machine categories and the prizes they are allowed to offer.

No one under the age of 18 years is permitted to enter an Adult Gaming Centre. AGCs must hold the relevant operating and personal licences from the Commission and a premises licence from the Licensing Authority.

Licensed Family Entertainment Centres (FECs)

FECs fall into two categories, those offering:

• an unlimited number of Category C and D gaming machines, with the Category C machines located in an 'adult only' area. This requires an operating licence from the Gambling Commission and a gambling premises licence from the Licensing Authority.
• an unlimited number of Category D gaming machines. This requires a Family Entertainment Centre Permit from the Licensing Authority.

Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centres (unlicensed FECs)

Unlicensed FECs provide category D machines for use by families and unaccompanied children.