We are currently experiencing intermittent issues with public access, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.Please note that the Licensing Office is open for pre-arranged appointments only. Documents can be posted or emailed to the Licensing Office.
Gambling Act 2005
This Act came into force on 1 September 2007. It created a new system for the licensing and regulation of commercial gambling. The granting of various types of licences and permits is undertaken either by the Gambling Commission or Local Authorities. All application forms and relevant guidance notes may be downloaded for completion and submission to the Licensing Authority at the address detailed below. A list of Responsible Authorities and the Schedule of Fees for applications and permits may also be downloaded but it should be noted that these fees are subject to review on an annual basis.
This Council is responsible for the grant and issue of the following licences:-
Adult Gaming Centres
An Adult Gaming Centre can offer an unlimited number of Category C and D machines and up to four, or 20%, of the total number of machines (whichever is greater) of Category B3 or B4 machines. No one under the age of 18 years is permitted to enter an Adult Gaming Centre.
Adult Gaming Centres must have the relevant operating and personal licences from the Gambling Commission and a premises licence from the Licensing Authority.
If you wish to apply for an Adult Gaming Centre Licence you can download the relevant information and forms by clicking on the links below:
- Guidance Notes
- Application Form
- Notice to be Displayed on Premises
- Notice to be Advertised
- Notice of Application - Form A
- Notice of Application - Form B
- Plan Requirements
- Conditions
- Responsible Authorities
- Categories of Machines
- Gambling Fees
Applications are usually dealt with within 2 months of receipt of a full application. In very exceptional circumstances the deadline may be required to be extended, you will be notified of the new deadline and the reason for extending it.
Betting Shop Premises
All gaming machines situated in a betting premises must abide by the Gambling Commission Gaming Machine Technical Standard and be tested to the appropriate standard by an approved test house.
The rules for positioning of gaming machines in relation to other activities on the premises are listed in the Mandatory and Default Conditions to the Gambling Act 2005.
If you wish to apply for a betting shop premises licence you can download the relevant information and forms by clicking on the links below.
- Guidance Notes (Betting Shops)
- Application Form
- Advertisement Form
- Form to be Displayed on Premises
- Notice of Application - Form A
- Notice of Application - Form B
- Plan Requirements
- Conditions
- Responsible Authorities
- Categories of Machines
- Gambling Fees
Applications are usually dealt with within 2 months of receipt of a full application. In very exceptional circumstances the deadline may be required to be extended, you will be notified of the new deadline and the reason for extending it.
Bingo Premises
A Bingo premises licence allows the premises to have up to 20% of the total number of gaming machines of Category B3 or B4 gaming machines and any number of Category C or D gaming machines available for use on the premises.
All gaming machines must abide by the Gambling Commission's Gaming Machines Technical Standards and be tested to the appropriate standard by an approved test house.
The rules for positioning of gaming machines in relation to other activities on a premises are listed in the mandatory and default conditions to the Gambling Act 2005.
If you wish to apply for a Bingo Premises Licence you can download the relevant information and forms by clicking on the links below:
- Guidance Notes (Bingo Premises)
- Application Form
- Advertisement Form
- Form to be Displayed on Premises
- Notice of Application - Form A
- Notice of Application - Form B
- Plan Requirements
- Conditions
- Responsible Authorities
- Categories of Machines
- Gambling Fees
Applications are usually dealt with within 2 months of receipt of a full application. In very exceptional circumstances the deadline may be required to be extended, you will be notified of the new deadline and the reason for extending it.
Club Gaming and Machine Permits
Club Gaming Permits allow the provision of no more than 3 gaming machines. These may be from Categories B3A, B4, C or D. They also allow equal-chance gaming (e.g. poker) and games of chance (e.g. pontoon) under certain restrictions.
Club Machine Permits allows the holder to have up to three gaming machines of Categorised B3A (except Commercial Clubs), B4, C or D.
If you wish to apply for a Club Gaming or Machine Permit you can download the relevant information and forms by clicking on the links below.
- Information on Clubs
- Application Form
- Categories of Machines
- Gambling Fees
- Responsible Authorities (Club Applications)
Applications are usually dealt with within 3 weeks of receipt of a full application. In very exceptional circumstances the deadline may be required to be extended, you will be notified of the new deadline and the reason for extending it.
Family Entertainment Centre
If you wish to apply for a Family Entertainment Centre Licence you can download the relevant information and forms by clicking on the links below.
Applications are usually dealt with within 2 months of receipt of a full application. In very exceptional circumstances the deadline may be required to be extended, you will be notified of the new deadline and the reason for extending it.
Gaming Machines in Licensed Premises (pubs)
Pubs and other alcohol licensed premises are automatically entitled to two Category C or D gaming machines, any may apply for more machines to their local licensing authority.
If you wish to apply to have gaming machines in a licensed premises you can download the relevant information and forms by clicking on the links below.
Applications are usually dealt with within 2 weeks of receipt of a full application. In very exceptional circumstances the deadline may be required to be extended, you will be notified of the new deadline and the reason for extending it.
Prize Gaming Permits
When an individual adult or group would like to run prize gaming from a premises that does not already have an existing premises licence or a club gaming permit, they should apply to the Local Licensing Authority for a prize gaming permit.
You do not need a prize gaming permit if you:-
- Already have a licence/permit for Bingo Operating Licence from the Gambling Commission and a Bingo Premises Licence from your Local Licensing Authority.
- Hold a Casino Operating Licence.
- Hold a Gaming Machine General Operating Licence for an Adult Gaming Centre or Family Entertainment Centre.
- You are providing the prize gaming facilities at a travelling fair.
- You operate a machine that is designed or adapted for the playing of bingo by way of prize gaming you already hold a gaming machine general operating licence from the Gambling Commission and the machine is used in accordance with any condition of such a licence making a provision about the specification of such equipment.
- You operate a machine that is designed or adapted for the playing of bingo by way of prize gaming you already hold a gaming machine general operating licence from the Gambling Commission.
If you wish to apply for a prize gaming permit you can download the relevant information and forms by clicking on the links below.
Applications are usually dealt with within 3 weeks of receipt of a full application. In very exceptional circumstances the deadline may be required to be extended, you will be notified of the new deadline and the reason for extending it.
Small Society Lotteries
Societies which run small society lotteries are required to register with their local licensing authority in the area where their principal office is located.
Exempt and Small Society Lotteries do not need to apply to the Gambling Commission for an Operating Licence.
Examples of exempt lotteries include:-
- Lotteries incidental to a non-commercial event
- Private Society Lotteries
- Work Lotteries
- Residents Lotteries
- Customer Lotteries
If you wish to apply for a Small Society Lottery Permit you can download the relevant information and forms by clicking on the links below:
Applications are usually dealt with within 2 weeks of receipt of a full application. In very exceptional circumstances the deadline may be required to be extended, you will be notified of the new deadline and the reason for extending it.
Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centre
If you wish to apply for an unlicensed family entertainment centre permit you can download the relevant information and forms by clicking on the links below:
Applications are usually dealt with within 3 weeks of receipt of a full application. In very exceptional circumstances the deadline may be required to be extended, you will be notified of the new deadline and the reason for extending it.
The legislation requires that the Licensing Authority adopts a Gambling Licensing Policy which sets out how the Licensing Authority will approach its responsibilities under the Act and, in accordance with the legislation, has adopted a Gambling Licensing Policy Statement which was produced in consultation with various organisations and persons who were connected with or could be affected by the matters regulated under the new Act.
You can you read or download a copy of the Gambling Licensing Policy Statement (which was adopted on 29 March 2022) below.
If you would like to be included in any forthcoming consultation process, please contact the Licensing section by any of the methods detailed lower on the page.
Gambling Commission
Further and more detailed information on all sectors and categories of Gambling and Betting as an industry or as a customer/participant in gambling beyond the information shown above on Tendring District Council’s Licensing Authority’s Gambling and Betting web page including the requirements of when a Personal Licence and an Operating Licence are required to be held; can be found on the Gambling Commission’s web site www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Child Sexual Exploitation and Exploitation of Vulnerable Persons
Businesses, particularly licensed businesses, can play a vital and positive role in helping to identify and protect those that are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse whether they are children, young persons or adults and preventing such exploitation and abuse from occurring by doing the right thing and sharing anything suspicious information that sexual exploitation or abuse of children and vulnerable persons is taking place with the relevant authorities or agencies.
By clicking on the links shown below you can read further about how to spot the signs of possible exploitation or abuse and who to report it to and in particular how you as a business in a district that has many seaside towns can play your part in keeping children and vulnerable persons safe in our area.
A Safer Seaside Town (A guide for community safety)
Child Sexual Exploitation, Know The Signs
Contact Details
E-Mail: licensingsection@tendringdc.gov.uk
Address: Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton on Sea, Essex, CO15 1SE
Telephone: (01255) 686565
Fax: (01255) 686343