Gambling and gaming in pubs and clubs

Automatic entitlement – two gaming machines

Pubs with a premises licence under section 282 of the Licensing Act 2003 are automatically entitled to have up to two gaming machines (category C or D). To use this entitlement, the licence holder must notify us and pay the required fee.

Application Form

Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permits

If a pub wants more than two machines, the licence holder must apply for a Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permit. This replaces the automatic entitlement.

  • only the premises licence holder can apply
  • you cannot apply if the premises already has a gambling premises licence

Application Form

Club Gaming Permits

Members’ clubs and miners’ welfare institutes (not commercial clubs) can apply for a Club Gaming Permit. This allows:

  • up to three gaming machines (categories B3A, B4, C or D — only one B3A allowed)
  • equal chance gaming (without standard stake and prize limits)
  • games of chance as prescribed in regulations, namely pontoon and chemin de fer

Application Form

Club Machine Permits

If a members’ club or miners’ welfare institute does not need the full range of gaming allowed by a Club Gaming Permit, they can apply for a Club Machine Permit instead.

This permit allows:

  • up to three gaming machines from categories B3A, B4, C or D

Commercial clubs can also apply for a Club Machine Permit. However:

  • they cannot offer non-machine gaming (except exempt gaming under section 269 of the Gambling Act 2005)
  • they cannot have category B3A machines that offer lottery-style games

Application Form

Gaming in alcohol-licensed premises (pubs)

Some gaming is allowed in pubs without a permit, but strict rules apply:

  • maximum stake: £5 per game
  • daily limit per premises: £100
  • weekly limit per premises: £500

We can take enforcement action if these limits are breached.

Application Form

Bingo in pubs and clubs

Bingo is allowed in pubs and clubs if:

  • total stakes or prizes do not exceed £2,000 in any 7-day period

If this limit is exceeded, the relevant operating and personal licences must be sought.

Betting in pubs and clubs

Commercial betting is not allowed in pubs or clubs, regardless of the stake amount. Anyone who facilitates betting in these settings is breaking the law and may face prosecution.

This includes:

  • accepting bets on behalf of licensed bookmakers
  • using a pub’s phone or account to place bets for others

These actions are considered betting intermediary activity and are illegal.

Licensed bookmakers must not:

  • accept bets from multiple pub or club customers through a single account
  • send agents to pubs or clubs to take bets in person

However, a licensed bookmaker can accept a telephone bet from a customer in a pub or club, if that customer has their own individual account.

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