Non-trading businesses and annual fees
It is a requirement of the Gambling Act 2005 for operators to pay their annual fee in full before the anniversary date stated on their operating licence. The fact that you may not have traded does not affect this legal requirement. If you wish to retain your operating licence, you must pay the annual fee by the due date.
If you surrender your licence the fee will not be payable.
How to surrender your licence
If you want to give up or surrender your operating licence in full or partially, you can do this in the following ways.
Telephone:
0121 230 6666 (option 2).
From outside the UK, call us on +44 121 230 6666 (option 2).
Email:
licensing@gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Online:
You can partially surrender your licences in eServices.
Previous pageIf you do surrender your operating licence, you will not be able to trade again until you have applied for and been granted a new operating licence. You would then have to pay the application fee and, if the licence is granted, a first annual fee 30 days after the issue date of the new licence.
What if I cannot pay my annual fee
Last updated: 21 March 2023
Show updates to this content
Updated to clarify process.
Updated telephone number to be main Gambling Commission number and provided telephone number if outside the UK.