Applying for a Gambling Premises Licence

What should I know before applying?

Do I need planning permission to use my premises for gambling?

You must have the appropriate Planning Consents or Change of Use Certificate to use your premises for gambling. Obtaining Planning Permission or a Change of Use can be a long process: the Licensing Team will not be able to process your application without copies of the appropriate planning permission.

For a permanent casino or gambling place, D2 planning permission for assembly and leisure is required. However, for regular gambling in part of a building used for other purposes, you may need to apply for a Change of Use. If you need any further planning advice, please contact us on planningdutydesk&internetqueries@maidstone.gov.uk or on 01622 602550.

Am I eligible to apply for a gambling licence?

To make an application for a Gambling Premises licence, you must:

• Be over 18 years old
• Have the right to occupy your premises
• Have an Operating Licence from the Gambling Commission* (or at least an application pending for an Operating Licence) allowing you to carry out your proposed gambling activity

* Please follow the links to the sort of gambling premises you wish to run. The Gambling Commission will make a detailed assessment of your circumstances as part of the application, with particular reference to any possible criminal record.

You may also need a Personal Management Licence, depending on the size of your business. The Gambling Commission will be able to advise you about this.

Procedures are available for (new) Gambling Premises Licences, Changes (Variation, Transfer, and Reinstatement) and Provisional Statements

How do I apply for a Gambling Licence?

The application consists of seven steps:

1. Please choose from the general application form for a Gambling Premises Licence, or the application form for a Gambling Premises Licence for a vessel  (if you intend to licence a vessel or boat). Download and complete the relevant form, and return it to us at: 
   The Licensing Partnership
   PO Box 182
   Sevenoaks
   Kent
   TN13 1GP
2. Please include a cheque for the relevant amount for your application, made payable to Sevenoaks District Council.
3. You must also include a plan of your premises with your application. Please refer to the guidance note on what your plan must show and also to the Mandatory and Default conditions of the layout of your premises
4. You must submit a copy of your application to all organisations on the List of Responsible Authorities.
5. Notifications: You must formally notify all the responsible authorities that you have made an application for a Gambling Premise Licence within 7 days of the date you applied.
   
   There are separate notification forms if you are applying as a single applicant and if you are applying as a partnership or business of two or more. Please choose the right form to fill in and forward to the relevant addresses.
   
6. Advertisements: You must also publish a notification of your application for the general public. This must be in two ways – a notice displayed prominently at your premises, and a published advertisement in local newspapers. Please read our guidance note, “Advertising Applications”, and the list of newspaper contacts.
7. You must submit a confirmation of advertisement with your application form.

How do I make changes to my Premises licence?

Please choose from the options below, and return your completed form to the address above with a cheque for the appropriate fee.

Variation:

1. To make an application to change your Gambling Premises licence, please download and complete an application form for a Variation of Premises Licence.
2. If you have changed the layout of your premises, you will also need to include a plan.
3. Make a notification of your application to the responsible authorities, using the correct form if you are applying as a single applicant or if you are applying as a partnership or as a business of two or more
4. Advertise your application at your premises and in local newspapers, using this Notice of Variation of a Premises Licence
5. You must submit a copy of your application to the relevant organisations from the List of Responsible Authorities.
6. For Transfers and Reinstatements, you only need to send copies or notifications to the Gambling Commission, the Chief Officer of Police, the Children and Young People’s Service, and  HM Customs and Excise (alongside the main copy to the MBC Licensing Team).

Transfer:

1. To transfer a Gambling Premises Licence from another person or operator to yourself, please download and complete an application form for a Transfer of Premises Licence.
2. Make a notification of your application to the responsible authorities, using the correct form if you are applying as a single applicant or if you are applying as a partnership or as a business of two or more
3. You must submit a copy of your application to the relevant organisations from the List of Responsible Authorities.

Re-instatement:

If a licence for Gambling Premises has lapsed and you wish to reinstate it, please download and complete an application form for Re-Instatement of a Premises Licence.

1. Make a notification of your application to the responsible authorities, using the correct form if you are applying as a single applicant or if you are applying as a partnership or business of two or more
2. You must submit a copy of your application to the relevant organisations from the List of Responsible Authorities.

My premises aren’t ready to be occupied yet – can I still apply for a Licence?

You can apply for a Provisional Statement for premises which are not ready to be occupied because: they are still being built; they are being altered; or you are waiting for the rights to occupy them.

Provisional Statements are designed to find out whether residents or other interested parties will object to your application for a gambling licence. If any issues raised can be resolved informally, or formally by holding a hearing, a Provisional Statement will be granted. There may be conditions attached, and you must comply with them.

The application consists of 5 steps:

1. Please choose from the standard application form for a Provisional Statement or the application form for a Provisional Statement for a vessel (if you intend to licence a vessel or boat). Download and complete the application form and return it to us at the address above.
2. Please include a plan of your premises with your application. Please refer to the guidance note on what your plan must show and also to the Mandatory and Default conditions of the layout of your premises 
3. Please include a cheque for the appropriate fee, made payable to Sevenoaks District Council.
4. Notifications: You must formally notify all the responsible authorities that you have made an application for a Provisional Statement within 7 days of the date you applied.
   There are separate notification forms if you are applying as a single applicant and if you are applying as a partnership or business of two or more. Please choose the right form to fill in and forward to the relevant addresses.
5. Advertisements: You must also publish a notice of application for a Provisional Statement for the general public. This must be in two ways – a notice displayed prominently at your premises, and a published advertisement in local newspapers. Please read our guidance note, “Advertising Applications”,  and the list of newspaper contacts.

Do I need to apply for a licence, when the Provisional Statement expires?

Yes. Before your Provisional Statement runs out, you must apply for an identical Gambling Premises Licence.

A Premises Licence will be granted, so long as no issues are raised by interested parties that could not have been raised and resolved as part of the Provisional Statement.

However, if we do not feel the premises have been constructed or altered in accordance with the plans set out in the Provisional Statement application, that restriction does not apply. 

You can apply for a Provisional Statement without holding an operating licence from the Gambling Commission.  However, please bear in mind that when you apply for your Premises Licence, you must either hold an Operating Licence, or have proof that you have applied for one (for example, an application reference from the Gambling Commission).

What do I do if my application fails?

If your application for a licence is refused, you may appeal. Please contact us in the first instance using the details at the right of the page.

What if I want to complain?

The Council operates a complaints procedure. If you are unhappy with the service you have received, view Maidstone Borough Council’s complaints policy or make a complaint online.

If you have a complaint relating to a gambling premises or suspect a premises is operating without the required licence, please contact the Licensing Team using the details to the right of this page.  If you have any problems with noise or nuisance in the vicinity of a gambling premises, please contact Environmental Health on 01622 602000.