When an alcohol-licensed premises such a public house is granted a premises licence it is also automatically entitled to have up to two gaming machines of category C or D.
To make use of this entitlement, licence holders must give us notice of the gaming machines by submitting the correct form and fee:
- Notification of gaming machines and gaming machine permit application [PDF, 0.1MB]
- Gambling licences and permits: Fees [PDF, 18Kb]
| Machine category | Maximum stake | Maximum prize |
|---|---|---|
| C | £1 | £100 |
| D: non-money prize (other than a crane grab machine) | 30p | £8 |
| D: non-money prize (crane grab machine) | £1 | £50 |
| D: money prize | 10p | £5 |
| D: combined money and non-money prize (other than a coin pusher or penny falls machine) | 10p | £8 (of which no more than £5 may be a money prize) |
| D: combined money and non-money prize (coin pusher or penny fall machine) | 20p | £20 (of which no more than £10 may be a money prize) |
Gaming machine permits
We may also issue licensed premises with a gaming machine permit for any number of category C or D machines.
A gaming machine permit authorises the number of machines specified in the application, and effectively replaces the automatic entitlement of up to two machines.
You may apply for this permit using the correct form, accompanied by the correct form and fee:
- Notification of gaming machines and gaming machine permit application [PDF, 0.1MB]
- Gambling licences and permits: Fees [PDF, 18Kb]
Other gaming in alcohol licensed premises
Other gaming is allowed in alcohol-licensed premises (excluding clubs), according to the following information:
Equal-chance gaming is permitted, but maximum participation fees (per person per day) and bankers or unequal-chance gaming are not permitted.
Stakes are limited to:
- Poker: £100 per premises per day
- Cribbage and dominoes: no limit
- Bingo: £2,000 per week without an operating licence
- Other gaming: £5 per person per game
Prizes are limited to:
- Poker: £100 per game
- Bingo: £2,000 per week without an operating licence
- Other gaming: no limit
Other useful information
The Gambling Commission provides further information about gambling in alcohol-licensed premises.
- Can I hold a race night, casino night or poker night? [PDF]
- Poker in pubs – quick guide [PDF]
- Poker in members’ and commercial clubs – quick guide [PDF]
- Code of Practice on equal chance gaming in clubs and premises with an alcohol licence (August 2014)
- Gaming Machine Permits code of practice (August 2014) [PDF]
See also: Small society lotteries
