Apply for a licence to operate a gambling business
Who is it for?
You need an operating licence from us if you want to provide gambling facilities to players in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).
This includes providing facilities for remote gambling, online or through other means, and advertise to consumers in Great Britain.
You must be 18 or over to apply for a licence.
Use this service
StartHow long does it take?
For processing times, please see our page on licence application processing times.
As soon as your application is assigned, your caseworker will be in touch and can provide an indicative timescale for the processing of your application.
Types of gambling that require a licence
Not all gambling requires a licence from us.
We license:
- arcades
- betting (shops and on-course)
- bingo
- casinos
- gaming machine providers
- gambling software providers
- lottery
- external lottery managers
- remote gambling (gambling done either online or by phone) that uses British-based equipment.
However, we don't license all gambling.
Some low-level gambling and permits are issued by local licensing authorities. Find out who is responsible for licensing different forms of gambling.
What you'll need to apply
As the application for an operating licence is based on the activities you want to provide, we have provided a summary of all the information we may require to complete your application.
You'll be asked in the application to upload supporting documents for your application.
We ask for the following information during the application process:
Documents | Applicant type |
---|---|
Ownership structure diagram | All but sole trader |
Management structure | All but sole trader |
Group structure | Part of a group only |
Share certificates | Companies limited by shares |
Articles of association | Limited company only |
Certificate of incorporation | Limited company only |
Constitution | Only if you have one |
Memorandum of association | Limited company only |
Trust documents | Trust only |
Partnership agreement | Partnership only |
Individual identity documents | Sole trader |
Policies & procedures - LCCP | All |
Customer terms & conditions | All |
Rules of play | All |
Copies of gambling licences from other jurisdictions | All if licensed elsewhere |
Policies & procedures - Remote technical standards & testing strategy policies | Remote licence applicant only |
Gambling software supply details | Remote licence applicant only |
Software supply method | Remote licence applicant only |
Operational model map | Remote licence applicant only |
System diagram for end to end process | Remote licence applicant only |
Bank statements for all account for last 6 months | All |
Business plan | All |
Audited accounts | All except sole trader if applicable |
Profit & loss projections for next 3 years | All |
Proof of funding | All |
Credit report | Overseas based only |
Annual reports to regulators | All except sole trader if applicable |
Annual returns | All except sole trader if applicable |
Details of bonus/profit sharing schemes | All except sole trader if applicable |
Details of bonus/profit sharing schemes | All except sole trader if applicable |
List of individuals compensated over £200k in last 12 months | All except sole trader if applicable |
Insolvency/administration/liquidation report | All if applicable |
Personal Management Licence application and required supporting documents from each person responsible for a specified management office or Annex A personal declaration form if the applicant is a Small Scale Operator | All |
Annex A personal declaration form and supporting documents from each person who holds 10% or more shares in the applicant | All |
What you'll need to pay and when
You'll need to pay an application fee when you submit your application.
This fee is calculated when you've chosen the activities you want to apply for a licence to provide.
You'll need to pay the fee by credit or debit card when you submit your application.
First annual fee
Your first annual fee is due 30 days after your licence is issued to you. You can pay this online using a credit or debit card in our eServices service, which you'll have access to once licensed.
If you have a question about your application
Complete our online form to submit your question.