Gambling sectors

Do I need a licence - gaming machines (fruit machines, slot machines)?

If you want to manufacture, supply, install, maintain or adapt gaming machines (fruit machines, slot machines), part of a gaming machine or gaming machine software, there are two types of licence that gaming machine business owners generally need. These are:

Both of these licences are issued by the Gambling Commission.

Do I need an operating licence?

In most cases, you will need an operating licence from us to manufacture, supply, install, maintain or adapt part of a gaming machine (fruit machines, slot machines) or gaming machine software. Find out which type of operating licence you need, and how to apply.

There are some circumstances in which you do not need a gaming machine operating licence:

If you collect gaming machines (fruit machines, slot machines) as a private individual and you want to sell, repair or upgrade a single machine, you do not need an operating licence to do so. However, you do need a single machine permit from us:

Single machine application - form - October 2007 

Single machine application - guidance notes - October 2007

The application fee for a single machine permit is £25.

Do I need a personal management licence?

If you need an operating licence, you may also need a personal management licence, unless you qualify as a small-scale operator. Anyone responsible for any of these areas of your organisation will need to apply for a PML:

  • overall strategy and delivery of gambling operations
  • financial planning, control and budgeting
  • marketing and commercial development
  • regulatory compliance
  • gambling related IT provision and security

Individuals who perform more than one of these management functions at the same time only need to hold one PML. Apply for a personal management licence.

Do I need a premises licence?

You do not need a premises licence for a gambling software business.

 

Page last reviewed: July 2011