How do I apply for an operating licence?

Before you make an application for an operating licence, you should make sure that you have the following documents to submit with your application. Operating licence applications must be made online – we will not accept applications sent by post or email.

If one or more of these documents are not submitted, the application will be deemed incomplete and will lead to your application being rejected.

You can scan and upload certified copies of the supporting documents or send us the originals.

So that we can start processing your application as soon as it is received, you should upload all supporting documents and pay the fee online:

• If you decide to send documents by post or email, you must email or post them on the same day that you submit the application
• If you do not submit your supporting documents online, we will not start processing your application until we receive them. If we have not received all of the supporting documents within five working days of application, we will reject your application and refund your fee.

If you decide to pay the fee by cheque or bank transfer, you must make the payment on the same day you submit the application. We will not start processing your application until we receive your fee.

You should also make sure that the people connected to the operating licence application who are submitting personal licence applications or Annex A personal declarations do so online on the same day as you submit the operating licence application. This is because we need to connect these individual applications to the operating licence application. If these people send in their personal licence applications/Annex A forms before you submit the operating licence application, we will not start processing them.

If any information/payment is missing, this will delay your application or could result in your application being rejected. If your application is complete, we will send you a confirmation letter containing your account number within seven days of receipt.

If we reject your application due to incomplete information and you have paid your fee, we will refund the fee and we will send you a letter explaining what documentation was missing. If you want to, you can reapply online and you must provide the documents that were originally missing and all of the documentation that you originally provided.

If you apply for a combination of different types of licences (except for ancillary remote licences or linked licences), you will get a discount. But if you are applying for more than one type of licence, you must apply as the same legal entity to qualify for the discount. Use our fees calculator to work out your total application fee. Once you have submitted your application we will publish that you have applied on our operating licence register.

When you receive your DBS disclosure certificate, you must send it to us as soon as possible. Any delay in sending the certificate will delay your application. We will not accept copies or certified copies so you must send the original certificate, which we will return to you by recorded delivery. Alternatively, in some circumstances you can avoid having to post the DBS disclosure certificate to us by joining the DBS Update Service.

If you want to better understand how the application process works and what is required before submitting a genuine application, you can create a test run.
To avoid confusion give your test run an applicant name of ‘TEST and your name’.
When you get to the end of the application make sure you do not submit the application
When you are ready to submit a real application, start a fresh application and delete the ‘test run’.

Original documents posted to us will be returned by recorded or special delivery and will need to be signed for upon receipt.
Post to the address below quoting your name and the unique application reference ID given to you during the online application.
Licensing submissions
Gambling Commission
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
B2 4BP

When we assess your application we consider whether your business will uphold the licensing objectives and if you are suitable to carry out the activities your licence will allow.

When considering suitability we want to see evidence to support and enable an assessment for:

• Identity and ownership – your identity and the identity of other people relevant to the application, for example, the person who ultimately owns a corporation of which your business is a part
• Finances – financial and other circumstances, past and present, and those of people relevant to the application. Including the resources likely to be available to carry out the licensed activities
• Integrity – your honesty and trustworthiness and that of people relevant to the application
• Competence –your experience, expertise, qualifications and history and that of people relevant to the application
• Criminality – your criminal record and that of people relevant to the application.

We will look at your policies for ensuring that the licensing objectives will be adhered to, an understanding of the legislation overall and evidence that your arrangements will meet social responsibility requirements.
Our approach to licensing is set out in our Licensing, compliance and enforcement policy statement , and Licensing decisions - Procedures and guidance for the licensing hearings.

There is no requirement that an applicant be incorporated in a particular country or jurisdiction. However, the important thing to note is the requirement in section 69 of the Gambling Act 2005 that you must provide an address in the UK at which a document under the Act may be served. So if your head office and registered office addresses are overseas, you will have to provide a correspondence address that is in the UK.

That address must be a genuine address at which papers can be served that will reach you in good time.

The address cannot be a PO Box and needs to be somewhere where you, for example, have a consistent staff presence or it could be the address of an official representative such as an accountant, solicitor or auditor. Such a correspondence address in the UK must be maintained for the life of the licence, if granted.

Keep your licence in a safe place. You need to be able to produce your licence on demand within a specified period, if a constable or enforcement officer asks to see it.
Your licence will last indefinitely unless:

• it is revoked
• it is suspended
• you choose to surrender it
• it lapses, for example due to bankruptcy or death
• it is forfeit, for example if a court orders it when you are convicted of a relevant offence.

If you need a copy of your licence login to eServices and download a copy from your homepage.

Your annual fee is due 30 days after we have issued your licence, and every year after that.

If we refuse your application, we will let you know the reasons why and the steps you can take to appeal if you are unhappy with our decision. If we have given you a final decision and you are not satisfied with it, you can appeal to the HM Courts & Tribunals Service, which is an independent body.