Gambling policy Part C

Where a premises does not hold a premises licence but wishes to provide gaming machines, it may apply to the Council for this permit. It should be noted that the applicant must show that the premises will be wholly or mainly used for making gaming machines available for use (Section 238).

Unlicensed FECs, by definition, will not be subject to scrutiny by the Gambling Commission as no operating (or other) licences will be applied for and issued. The Council will expect applicants to demonstrate:

• a full understanding of the maximum stakes and prizes of the gambling that is permissible in unlicensed FECs;
• that the applicant has no relevant convictions (those that are set out in Schedule 7 of the Act); and
• that staff are trained to have a full understanding of the maximum stakes and prizes. Guidance (24.7)

The Guidance also states: An application for a permit may be granted only if the Council is satisfied that the premises will be used as an unlicensed FEC, and if the chief officer of police has been consulted on the application.

It should be noted that the Council cannot attach conditions to this type of permit.

Statement of Principles

The Council will expect the applicant to show that there are policies and procedures in place to protect children from harm. Harm in this context is not limited to harm from gambling but includes wider child protection considerations. Such policies and procedures will be considered on their merits, however, they may include appropriate measures/ training for staff as regards suspected truant school children on the premises, measures /training covering how staff would deal with unsupervised very young children being on the premises or children causing perceived problems on or around the premises. The Council will also expect, in accordance with the Gambling Commission Guidance, that applicants demonstrate a full understanding of the maximum stakes and prizes of the gambling that is permissible in unlicensed FECs; that the applicant has no relevant convictions (those that are set out in Schedule 7 of the Act); and that staff are trained to have a full understanding of the maximum stakes and prizes.

The Council requires a plan of the proposals to be submitted with the application.