Betting & Gaming Licensing Solicitors

Our team of legal experts has extensive experience in advising businesses of all sizes within the betting and gaming sector. We also have expertise in regulatory requirements, compliance, and enforcement. Some of our solicitors have been advising on gambling law for over 30 years.

We can help you with all areas of gambling licensing, including:

Securing a gambling licence for your premises
Remote gambling licensing
Licences/authorisations for fundraising
Licences/authorisations for product/service promotion.

Get in touch with us today for a consultation. We’ll listen to your needs and begin work to ensure your business or organisation is gambling and consumer law compliant.

Licence regulations are always changing. That’s why it’s vital you are complying with the latest gambling legislation. If you hold an operating licence, you’ll also need to make sure you’re complying with Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP).

We stay up to date with the latest regulatory requirements and updates in gambling law. This means the advice we give you will be up-to-the-minute and best suited to your needs. If you need to make an application, we’ll ensure that it addresses all the necessary areas, giving you the best chance of it being granted.

You must send all the supporting documentation when you submit your online application. Not providing the Gambling Commission with all the information and supporting documentation required is likely to result in the application being rejected. Your application fee won’t be refunded, and you’ll need to start the whole process again.

Why should I choose Irwin Mitchell?

We are a team of experts with specialist legal knowledge of betting and gaming. We have extensive regulatory experience in gambling licensing. Our deep understanding of the statutory process and the Gambling Commission’s regulatory regime means we can advise you on all legal aspects of gambling.

We can predict the compliance issues you are likely to face. This knowledge makes it easier for us to handle potential issues before they happen.

We offer comprehensive legal services to businesses in the gambling sector. These include advising on:

Remote gambling
Software supply
Bingo Clubs and Venues
Adult Gaming Centres
Casinos
Betting Offices
Lotteries and Fundraising
Gaming machines
Gambling in members clubs and pubs
Compliance assessments and regulatory action. The Commission will undertake a compliance assessment once the licence holder commences operations to test the application of the policies and procedures submitted with the application.

Legal experts with over 30 years' experience in licensing

A comprehensive service covering all aspects of gambling licensing

Offices around the country

Accessible, flexible and professional service

0808 271 2602

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Betting and Gaming licensing - More Information

The type of licence you’ll need depends on the type of gambling you want to provide. A licence is required for each separate activity. If you wish to provide gambling at a physical premises, you'll also need a premises licence from the Local Authority in which the premises are located.

Once you’ve spoken to us about your business and the type of gambling facilities you wish to offer, we’ll advise you on which licence(s) you’ll need.

If you intend to acquire physical business premises and wish to provide land-based gambling, you’ll need one of the following gambling premises licences:

Converted Casino premises licence (new applications can’t be made for this kind of licence)
Bingo premises licence
Betting premises licence
Adult gaming centre premises licence, allowing the use of Category B and C gaming machines
Family entertainment centre premises licence, allowing the use of Category C gaming machines.

If you wish to operate an online gambling business for customers in Great Britain, you’ll need a remote operating licence. Depending on how your gambling software/games are sourced you may well require a gambling software licence. If the software/hosting arrangements are provided by a third party, you'll need to ensure that company is appropriately licensed by the Gambling Commission.

Personal Management Licences (PML) are also required by the holders of senior management posts authorising the performance of the following management functions:

Overall management and direction of the licensee’s business or affairs
The finance function as head of that function
Regulatory compliance as head of that function
Marketing and commercial development as head of that function
Gambling related IT and security as head of that function.

For land-based gambling, these additional individuals require a PML:

The individual with oversight of multiple licensed premises
In the case of casinos and bingo premises the manager of those premises.

The Gambling Commission is also consulting on extending the requirement to hold a PML to the following:

Acting as the Nominated Officer (Money Laundering Reporting Officer)
CEO of a company
Chairman of the Board.

We’re experts in the application process for operating licences, PMLs, and gambling premises licences. We know how to help you meet your objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to get a gambling licence in Great Britain?

The application fees payable to the Gambling Commission vary depending on:

The types of gambling you wish to offer
Whether you will be offering online or land-based gambling
The expected revenues from the activities (known as gross gambling yield).

You can find out exactly how much your gambling licence will cost by completing the Gambling Commission’s operating licence fee calculator.

The application fees you need to pay a Licensing Authority for a premises licence application vary by sector. They’re capped by regulations but are currently under review.

Annual fees are payable to both the Gambling Commission and, where land-based licences are held, the Licensing Authority.

Licensing Authorities must include costs of enforcement in their annual fees. The Commission factor into their annual fees costs of compliance and enforcement.

Is it hard to get a gambling licence in the UK?

For your gambling licence application to be approved, you need a comprehensive business plan. Presenting the Gambling Commission with a well-thought-out plan will show that you’re aware of your goals and how to achieve them.

You’ll also need to demonstrate that you’ve taken responsible gambling into consideration. This includes putting customer protection practices in place. Strategies to protect against money laundering and fraud are also vital. They require a risk assessment of your business, and policies and controls to mitigate any risks.

We have vast experience in helping clients create a comprehensive application. Before submitting your application, we will ensure all the bases are covered to give you the best chance of being approved for a licence.

About Irwin Mitchell

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Betting & Gaming Licensing Solicitors

Why should I choose Irwin Mitchell?

Betting and Gaming licensing - More Information

Do you need a gambling licence in the UK?

What are the different types of gambling licences?

How long does it take to get an operating licence from the Gambling Commission

How can we help?