Expert lawyers for gaming and betting licences

Gambling licensing

Overview

To successfully operate in the betting and gaming industry you need to make sure that you have the correct licences in place. We act for businesses throughout the world in applications for UK Gambling Commission Operator’s Licences and UKGC and local authority premises licences.

Our experts have experience of dealing with a wide variety of applications for remote and non-remote licenses including:

casinos (online and physical)
bookmakers (online, race course and shop-based)
pool betting
betting intermediaries
amusement arcades
gaming machines

bingo (online and bingo halls)
society lotteries
sports books
Betfair Exchange Agents
personal licences and Annex A applications
gambling software.

Specialist licensing solicitors

We are frequently asked to advise prize competition organisers on how to ensure that their competitions do not become illegal lotteries.

Licence applications

We offer a full service licence application product in which we draft, collate and submit full applications. We also offer a consultancy service in which we assist with the aspects which applicants find most difficult, including drafting compliance policies.

What we advise on

We regularly advise on:

whether a license is required, and if so what kind
the application of the obligations under the Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practise in specific circumstances
the drafting of business plans, forecasts, policies, procedures and terms and conditions
compliance with reporting requirements
sourcing and contracting with third-parties, such as software testing houses, payment service providers and third-party funders.

Licensing & Business Regulation

Our team combines expertise in both licensing and business regulation. This equips us to advise on matters, such as:

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing responsibilities (particularly as these affect casinos)
Responses to cease and desist letters, investigations and prosecutions.

We regularly advise on:

whether a license is required, and if so what kind
the application of the obligations under the Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practise in specific circumstances
the drafting of business plans, forecasts, policies, procedures and terms and conditions
compliance with reporting requirements
sourcing and contracting with third-parties, such as software testing houses, payment service providers and third-party funders.

Our team combines expertise in both licensing and business regulation. This equips us to advise on matters, such as:

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing responsibilities (particularly as these affect casinos)
Responses to cease and desist letters, investigations and prosecutions.

Key contact

Martin Jones

Head of Regulatory

View profile

Martin leads the firm’s cross-departmental alcohol and gaming licensing teams. The firm’s gambling licensing practice has grown considerably over recent years. Within this area, Martin advises operators on licensing issues of all types. This includes assisting clients in obtaining licences from the Gambling Commission and advising operators on compliance with their on-going obligations under Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practice.

View team

Your questions answered

Is it legal for me to arrange for games with stakes like poker to be played in my pub?

You can arrange games like poker in your public house but only in accordance with strict conditions imposed by the Gambling Commission. There is a maximum value to the stake per player, a maximum value of total combined stake per day and a maximum value to any prize. The Licensing Authority can take action against any person breaching these conditions or limits. You cannot charge a participation fee, not even, for example charging entrants for a meal in order to participate in the game nor an entrance fee on the door. Your game cannot be linked to another game of poker elsewhere (linked meaning participants across different venues playing the same poker game).

Can I run a gambling business without a licence?

You must hold an operating licence if you are intending to run a gambling business for profit such as a betting shop, a gaming machine arcade or a casino. In addition, where the business is based at premises, you will require a premises licence. If you run a gambling business for profit without the relevant licences you could be committing an offence and you could be prosecuted. There are certain exemptions from holding an operating licence for small lotteries and small raffles run not for profit and for fundraising for societies, schools and clubs only.

Do I need a licence for gaming machines in my pub?

Alcohol licensed premises have an automatic entitlement to up to two category C or D machines upon notification to the Licensing Authority. Although there is an automatic entitlement you must still ensure that you provide notification to the Licensing Authority. In addition, alcohol licenses premises can apply for a gaming machine permit for additional machines. There are different provisions for clubs and institutes.

Can I operate a prize draw on the internet for profit?

If the winner of the draw is decided purely by chance then this is a lottery. It is illegal to run a lottery for profit. Prize competitions can be operated legally with a draw phase providing that there is also a phase in which a participant’s skill and knowledge is tested. It is important that the sometimes complex boundary between lotteries and prize competitions are carefully respected.

I intend run a web-based gambling business from outside the UK. Do I need a UK licence?

If your equipment is based in the UK or if you offer gambling to UK residents, you need a UK Gambling Commission licence. This is the case even if you hold a licence in another jurisdiction.