There are four main types of gambling permit that licensing authorities are responsible for issuing:
- unlicensed family entertainment centre (FEC) gaming machine permits
- club gaming and club machine permits
- prize gaming permits
- alcohol licensed premises gaming machine permits and prize gaming permits
Additionally, small societies that provide lotteries need to register with the authority.
How to apply
Before applying we recommend reading our
Gambling Act 2005 guidance notes (138kb PDF)Link opens in a new window.
Please complete the relevant application form from the sections below and return it to us by post or in person:
Licensing,
Cardiff Council,
County Hall,
Atlantic Wharf,
Cardiff,
CF10 4UW
Opening Hours
Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Family entertainment centres (FECs) are able to offer category D machines if they obtain a gaming machine permit. Any number of category D machines can be made available with such a permit (subject to non-gambling considerations, such as fire regulations and health and safety).
Unlicensed family entertainment centre gaming machine permit application form (109kb PDF)Link opens in a new window
There are two types of club permit available: a club gaming permit or a club machine permit.
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Club gaming permits allow the provision of no more than three gaming machines in total. Each of the three machines must be from categories B3A, B4, C or D but only one B3A machine can be sited, by agreement, as part of this entitlement. Club gaming permits also allow equal-chance gaming (for example, poker) and games of chance (for example, pontoon, chemin-de-fer) under certain restrictions.
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Club machine permits allow the holder to have no more than three gaming machines in total. Members' clubs and miners' welfare institutes may site up to three machines from categories B3A, B4, C or D but only one B3A machine can be sited, by agreement, as part of this entitlement. Commercial clubs may site up to three machines from categories B4, C or D (not B3A machines).
Club gaming and club machine permit application form (50kb PDF)Link opens in a new window
Prize gaming is gaming where the nature and size of the prize available is not determined by either:
- the number of people playing
- the amount paid for, or raised by the gaming.
Prize gaming permit application form (120kb PDF)Link opens in a new window
Pubs and other alcohol licensed premises are automatically entitled to two category C or D gaming machines upon notification to the licensing authority of their intention to make gaming machines available for use. Licensing authorities can issue gaming machine permits which allow additional category C and D gaming machines to be provided.
Licensed premises gaming machine permit application form (90kb PDF)Link opens in a new window
Society lotteries are lotteries promoted for the benefit of a non-commercial society. A society is non-commercial if it is established and conducted for charitable purposes.
It enables participation in, or supporting of, sport, athletics and cultural activities and for any other non-commercial purpose other than that of private gain.
Small Society Lottery Registration Application Form (102kb PDF)Link opens in a new window
How much will the permit cost?
Gambling licence and permit fees and charges (51kb PDF)Link opens in a new window
We accept the following methods of payment:
- Debit card (by phone only - 029 20871651)
- Cheque (made payable to ‘Cardiff Council’)
- You can also pay by BACS:
Sort Code 52-21-06
Acc No. 20408838
Address: Natwest, 96 Queen Street, Cardiff, CF10 2GR.
Please inform us of the reference number and date of payment if you are paying by BACS so that we can locate the payment.
If you would like any help or advice please contact us
Contact us
029 2087 1651