Premises Licences

Premises where gambling activities are provided must be authorised by a premises licence. Guidance, policies and information on each sector is available from the Gambling Commission.

Types of premises licence

• Adult gaming centres – amusement arcades making gaming machines available for use, accessible by over-18s only
• Betting (at tracks) – areas at racecourses and sports grounds where licensed bookmakers take bets on events at that location
• Betting (other premises) – premises away from tracks and sports grounds, such as high street shops, where licensed bookmakers take bets on events elsewhere
• Bingo – premises at which games of commercial prize bingo are regularly played
• Family entertainment centres – amusement arcades open to all ages, offering gaming machines

Each type of licence allows a specific combination of gambling activities, including the right to make a certain number of gaming machines available for use.

With the exception of betting (track) licences, premises licences may only be granted to people or organisations that hold an appropriate operating licence from the Gambling Commission.

Casinos are not permitted in Colchester. Information about where a casino may be located and run can be found on the Gambling Commission website.

Application process

You must hold an operating licence from the Gambling Commission before applying to us for a premises licence.

Before you apply

• Have the legal right to occupy the premises
• Hold a valid operating licence allowing you to run your gambling business

You should also read the council’s Statement of Licensing Policy for Gambling.

Making your application

The process differs slightly for each type of application. Full details are given in the guidance notes with the application form.

You must:

• send a copy of the application and supporting documents to all responsible authorities (see Licensing Policy for contact details)
• advertise the application by placing a notice on site for 28 days from the day after submission

The site notice must be:

• at least A4 in size
• pale blue
• printed legibly in black ink and at least 16-point font size

If the premises covers more than 50m², place additional notices every 50m along the external perimeter facing a highway.

Place a notice in a local newspaper within 10 working days of submitting your application.

During the 28-day notice period, responsible authorities or interested parties (including local residents and businesses) may make representations supporting or objecting to your application.

Details of current applications are shown on the council’s licensing register.

If representations are received, or if you request changes to conditions, the application will usually be referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee.

Any licence granted will automatically be subject to standard mandatory conditions set out in regulations. Licences may also be subject to default conditions restricting opening hours, unless you have requested these be excluded. The council may impose further conditions in response to specific concerns.

Reviews

The council operates a stepped enforcement approach and will try to resolve issues informally or through enforcement. If problems cannot be resolved, a request can be made to review a licence.

Reviews can be requested by responsible authorities or interested parties (such as residents or businesses) using the prescribed review form.

Valid review applications will be advertised on our website and by placing notices at or near the premises for 28 days. Anyone affected by the premises may make written representations during this period.

The review will be considered at a public hearing by the Licensing Sub-Committee. After considering the review and any representations, the committee can amend the licence (for example by adding conditions) or suspend or revoke it.

Provisional statements

Provisional statements act like a provisional premises licence. They let an operator assess the likelihood of obtaining a full licence before committing to developing a site.

They can be used where premises are not yet built or redeveloped, or where the operator does not yet have the right to occupy the premises.

Provisional statements do not allow gambling facilities to be provided. However, when an application is later made for a premises licence, the council must disregard any representations if the application matches the original provisional statement.

Apply for a gambling premises licence

If you are ready to apply, you can do so online.

Apply for a premises licence