Club gaming permit

A members’ club or miners’ welfare institute may apply. Members’ clubs must have at least 25 members and be established and conducted “wholly or mainly” for purposes other than gaming, unless the gaming is permitted by separate regulations. Commercial clubs cannot apply for a club gaming permit. They can apply for a club machine permit.

This permit also allows for the provision of equal chance gaming subject to the conditions for exempt gaming (described below), except that the limit on stakes and prizes is removed. The provision of games of chance as prescribed in regulations is also allowed.

The provision of gambling at clubs in reliance on a club gaming permit is subject to the conditions listed below:

• For equal chance gaming

• the same conditions as for exempt gaming described below apply, with the exception that any limit on stakes and prizes does not apply

• For other games of chance

• the games offered are limited to those prescribed in regulations
• there is no participation fee charged otherwise than in accordance with regulations
• that no amount is deducted from sums staked or won otherwise than in accordance with any regulations made by the Secretary of State (current proposals are not to exercise this power at present)

• For gaming machines

• no child or young person (under 18) can use category B or C machines on the premises
• the permit holder needs to comply with any relevant provision of the Gambling Commission code of practice regarding the location and operation of gaming machines

• For all gaming

• the public, children and young persons are excluded from any area in which gaming is taking place
• in the case of members’ clubs and miners’ welfare institutes only, those taking part in the gaming must be a member of the club who applied for, or was nominated for membership at least 48 hours prior to participating, or are a guest of a member. In order to qualify for exemption, the gaming in a club must meet the conditions set out in section 269 of the Act:
• it must be equal chance gaming, as defined in Part 1 of the Act (examples would include bingo, poker or bridge);
• stakes and prizes must be in accordance with any rules or limits prescribed in regulations;
• the club must not deduct any amounts from sums staked or won in the gaming;
• any charge for participation must not exceed amounts prescribed in regulations;
• the games played may only take place on one set of premises, meaning there may not be any linking of games between premises: Games may be considered linked if the game is split by sites so that part of one game is played elsewhere and:
  - the result of one game is, or may be wholly or partly determined by reference to the result of the other game; or
  - the amount of winnings is wholly or partly determined by the participation of more than one set of players;
• in the case of members’ clubs and miners’ welfare institutes only, people may only participate in the gaming if they have been a member (or applied or were nominated for membership) at least 48 hours before playing, or are genuine guests of such a person. Club gaming permits replace the permissions provided by Part II registration under the 1968 Act

1. the appropriate application form
2. the appropriate fee for the application being made
3. in the case of conversions/renewals/variations - your existing permission
4. Within seven days (beginning on the date on which the application is made) you must also copy your application (and any accompanying documents) to all responsible authorities listed below.

The completed application form and all of the accompanying documents should be sent to the licensing@doncaster.gov.uk or by post to:

Licensing Department,
Doncaster Council,
Civic Office, 
Waterdale,
Doncaster,
DN1 3BU

Following receipt of a completed application, we will contact you with payment methods.

*The first annual fee is due for payment within 30 days of the initial grant and subsequent annual fees are due prior to the anniversary of the grant.

The responsible authorities have 28 days to make any objections.

The Council can either grant or refuse an application.

Club Gaming Permit (1)

Download (347KB - PDF)

Within seven days (beginning on the date on which the application is made) you must also copy your application (and any accompanying documents) to:

Gambling Commission
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
B2 4BP
Fax: 0121 230 6720
Email: gclocalauthority@gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Telephone: 0121 230 6666

South Yorkshire Police
Sheffield Licensing Team
60 Attercliffe Common 
Sheffield 
S9 2AD
Tel: 0114 252 3948 / 0114 252 3617
Fax: 0114 252 3688
Email: don_licensing@southyorks.pnn.police.uk

A permit lasts for 10 years. There is an annual fee for this type of permit, the first of which must be paid within 30 days of the permit becoming effective. A permit can be cancelled if the holder fails to pay the annual fee (unless the failure is as the result of an administrative error).