Gambling sectors

What operating licences do I need - gambling software?


 

The following types of licence apply to gambling software businesses. Please read the details below to see which licence you need.

Non-remote gambling software licence

You will need a non-remote gambling software operating licence if you manufacture, supply, install or adapt gambling software through non-remote communication, such as by CD or DVD.

If you already hold a non-remote gambling software licence and want to supply software by email only you may apply for an an ancillary remote licence in addition to your non-remote gambling software licence.

If your gambling software business uses any other form of remote communication, you should apply for a remote gambling software licence.

Remote gambling software licence

You will need a remote gambling software operating licence if you intend to manufacture, supply, install or adapt gambling software through remote communication - for example if you wanted to supply gambling software through File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or make gambling software available for download from a website. Apply for an operating licence.

Linked gambling software licence

If you already hold, or are applying for, a full remote operating licence (such as a remote casino or bingo licence) you may also, in certain circumstances, apply for a linked gambling software licence. This allows you to manufacture, supply, install or adapt gambling software for your own use. The total cost of carrying out these activities must be no more than £50,000 per year to qualify for a linked gambling software licence. If you exceed this amount you must apply for a gambling software operating licence.

There is also a remote version of this licence which allows you carry out these activities by remote communication.

The following actions will trigger an additional licence requirement for those already holding a qualifying remote operating licence:

  • installing onto your remote gambling equipment a game supplied by another gambling software developer
  • using a CD, memory stick or computer downloads to make software changes
  • modifying a supplied game to suit your platform's specifications.

 

Page last reviewed: May 2012

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