Machine Arcades

WHAT SORT OF LICENCE OR PERMIT DO I REQUIRE FOR MY ARCADE?

ADULT GAMING CENTRES

Allowed to make available any number of machines in Categories C and D.
Allowed to make available a total of up to four machines in Categories B3 and B4.
Under 18s not admitted.
Bingo permitted on premises (subject to conditions).
Requires a premises licence from local authority.
Operator requires operator's licence from Gambling Commission.
Some personnel may require personal licences depending on size of operator.

LICENSED FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES

UNLICENSED FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES

TRAVELLING FAIR

Allowed to make machines in Cat D available as an ancillary amusement to fair.
Under 18s admitted.
Bingo permitted (subject to conditions).
Provided fair fits definition of "travelling fair" no licence or permit required from local authority or Gambling Commission.

PREMISES CONTAINING BETTING MACHINES

These are machines that accept bets on live events such as horse races and replace the placing of bets over a counter.
Under 18s not admitted.
Requires a premises licence from local authority.
Operator requires operator's licence from Gambling Commission.
Some personnel may require personal licences depending on size of operator.

MACHINE CATEGORIES

These categories are provisional and may be subject to change

CAT 'D' - Maximum stake: 10p (30p if non-monetary). Maximum Prize £5 (£8 if non-monetary).

CAT 'C' - Maximum stake: 50p. Maximum Prize: £35.

CAT 'B4' - Maximum stake: £1. Maximum Prize: £250.

CAT 'B3' - Maximum stake: £1. Maximum Prize: £500.

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS

SCENARIO 1. OPERATOR HAS MACHINES IN BOTH CATEGORY 'C' AND 'D' ON SITE:

Operator is a licensed family entertainment centre.
Operator will require licences from the local authority (premises licence) and Gambling Commission (operators and personal licences).
Operator will be required to segregate Cat 'C' machines from Cat 'D' machines.

SCENARIO 2. OPERATOR HAS MACHINES IN CATEGORY 'B3/B4' and 'D' ON SITE:

Operator will require both an adult gaming centre licence for the 'B' machines and a machine permit for the 'D' machines.
The operator will be required to segregate the Category 'B' machines into a clearly defined area separated from the rest of the site by a substantial and permanent partition. The operator will require licences from the local authority (premises licence) and Gambling Commission (operators and personal licences) for this area.
The local authority will grant a machine permit for the area containing the Cat 'D' machines.
No direct access will be permitted between the area containing the Cat 'B' and Cat 'D' machines.

Arun District Council should be consulted for advice on how to segregate gaming areas and how to adapt your premises to avoid direct access.

SCENARIO 3. OPERATOR HAS MACHINES IN CATEGORIES, 'B3/B4, 'C' and 'D' ON SITE.

Option 1.

Operator may segregate Category 'C' machines and Category 'B' machines into the same adult gaming centre area and operate the area containing the Category 'D' machines under a machine permit. See Scenario 2 for further details.

Option 2.

Operator may apply for an adult gaming centre licence for the Category 'B' machines and a family entertainment centre licence for the 'C' and 'D' machines. The operator will require licences from the local authority (premises licence) and Gambling Commission (operators and personal licences) for the adult gaming centre and the family entertainment centre.
Both the area containing the 'B' machines and the 'C' machines will have to be segregated from the remainder of the site.
No direct access is permitted between the area containing the Category 'B' machines and the remainder of the site. Directed access is permitted between those areas containing 'C' and 'D' machines, although they must be clearly segregated from each other.