Personal functional licence

The cost for a PFL is £185. We can accept payment from most credit or debit cards, but unfortunately we are not able to accept American Express or Visa Electron.

We will not return your fee if your application is unsuccessful or you choose to withdraw from the application process.

During the online application you will be asked to scan and upload certified copies or send us the originals of:

• proof of your identity (ID verification form)
• a passport sized photograph
• proof of identity documents for the business
  • any gambling licences you have which were not issued in the UK
  • if you are not a resident of Great Britain, we will need a UK contact address
  • signed and dated authorisation for release of information form
  • signed and dated reference declaration
  • Disclosure and Barring Service form (if you live/work in England or Wales) or Disclosure Scotland form (if you live/work in Scotland). Email or call our contact centre to get a copy of either form. If you live overseas, you will need to provide a police record from your country of residence.
  
  If any information is missing, this will delay your application. If you have provided all the required information then we can normally process your application within 8 weeks.

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.

You need to pay a maintenance fee every five years. You will also have to resubmit your information at this time and complete a new criminal records check.

You should inform us of any changes in circumstances, for example if your contact details change. See the full list of things you need to tell us about as part of your licence conditions.

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

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
• 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 personal licence login to eServices - Personal, and you will be able to download a copy of your licence.

Change	Cost
Adding a licensed activity	25% of standard licence fee
Amending a licensed activity	25% of standard licence fee
Removing a licensed activity	£25 administration fee
Changing details (requiring a new licence to be issued)	£25 administration fee
Adding a condition	25% of standard licence fee
Amending a condition	25% of standard licence fee
Removing a condition	25% of standard licence fee

Variations to personal licence applications take around 5 days to process, providing full information is submitted.

If we reject 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 HM Courts & Tribunals Service, which is an independent body.