Gambling premises licence

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Your business

If you offer 1 of the following for gambling, you will need a gambling premises licence:

  • bingo premises
  • betting tracks premises
  • betting (other) premises (eg betting shops)
  • adult gaming centres (AGC's)
  • family entertainment centres (FEC's)

Gambling Act 2005

London Borough of Barnet is the Licensing Authority under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 and responsible for the administration and enforcement of Premises Licences and Permits under the Act. For example: betting shops, bingo halls, amusement arcades, the provision of gaming machines in clubs and alcohol premises and small society lottery registrations.

Under the Gambling Act 2005, the Local Authority must prepare a written Statement of Principles (PDF, 0.6 MB)

This Statement of Principles must be reviewed and adopted every 3 years and sets out how the council will carry out its licensing functions whilst having regard to the guidance issued by the Gambling Commission and the promotion of the 3 licensing objectives, which are:

  • preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder, or being used to support crime
  • ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
  • protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling

Who can apply

To apply for a premises licence you must:

  • be 18 years old or older
  • if applying on behalf of a company or partnership be authorised to make such an application
  • hold or have applied for an operators licence from the Gambling Commission for that gambling activity

How to apply

Applications must be made using the form, which can be requested by emailing the Licensing Team at licensingadmin@barnet.gov.uk or telephone on 0208 359 7443

A plan of the premises must also accompany the application.

Notice of application

A notice of application must be served on each responsible authority. 

 A list of these responsible authorities 2023 (PDF, 0.2 MB)

Applications must be advertised and are open to responsible authorities and the public to make representations.

The consultation period for these application types are 28 calendar days from the day the application is received by the Licensing Authority.

Applicants must place a public notice on the premises in a place so it can be read by members of the public if the premises is open or not. 

This notice must be displayed for a period of 28 consecutive days. If the premises has a frontage of more than 50 metres a notice must be displayed every 50 metres around the premises frontage.

Fees

The application must be accompanied by the correct fee and sent to the licensing team.

Download the full list of fees relating to gambling (PDF, 71 KB)

Objections or representations to an application

Responsible authorities and other parties can submit relevant representations either for or against the grant of the application during the consultation period. 

In order for a representation to be considered relevant it must relate to one or more of the licensing objectives.

Representations can be made to the licensing team within the consultation period by letter, email or by submitting the electronic form available. 

All relevant representations must explain how you personally would be affected by the granting of the licence and how it would harm one or more of the licensing objectives.

Anonymous representations cannot be considered.

Guidance on how to make a relevant representation can be found using the link provided.

How the decision is made

All new premises licence application undergo a 28 day consultation period. 

Should there not be any relevant representations received by the Licensing Authority from responsible authorities or other parties during this 28-day period, then the licence is granted as applied for.

If relevant representations are received from a responsible authority or other parties then the application will be placed before a licensing sub-committee who will make a decision to grant, refuse or amend the application.

The hearing will be arranged by the council and will be held within 20 working days starting the day after the end of the consultation period.

Should any party involved in the application process wish to appeal against the decision made by the licensing sub-committee, then they can do so by applying within 21 days of the decision being given to Hendon Magistrates by way of an application for appeal.

Complaints

If you wish to complain about a premises that you believe is either trading without the necessary licence or are in breach of their licence then please contact us via email or by completing and returning our complaints form.

Reviews

At any stage, following the grant of a premises licence, a responsible authority, such as the police or the fire authority, or other party, such as a resident, may ask the Licensing Authority to review the licence if they consider that the licensing objectives are not being met.

Requests for reviews must be made in the correct manner and using the application forms attached.

Once an application is received the licensing team will determine whether to accept the application based on the evidence submitted.

Maintenance of your licence

A premises licence once granted lasts indefinitely unless one of the following occurs:

  • the licence is applied and granted for a limited duration
  • the licence is revoked following a review application
  • the suspension of the licence by a licensing sub committee following a review application
  • the licence lapses due to death, mental incapacity or insolvency of the individual that holds the licence or in the case of a company is dissolved
  • the voluntary surrender of the premises licence
  • the licence is revoked due to the non-payment of the annual fee

If none of the above applies then the premise licence will remain in place permitting the activities displayed on the current premises licence and the annual fee will be due each year on the anniversary of the grant of the licence. Failure to pay the annual fee when it is due can lead to the revocation of the premises licence.

Once a licence is granted the licence holder can apply for the following by way of a formal application to the licensing authority:

  • variation of a premises licence
  • transfer of a premises licence
  • notice specifying the person nominated to be the holder of the premises licence
  • notification of change of details
  • notification of a change of premises name
  • surrender of a premises licence
  • change of name of premises

A register containing details of all of our licensed premises can be viewed by contacting the licensing team on the details provided.

Contact

Licensing Team
2 Bristol Avenue
Colindale
London 
NW9 4EW

Tel: 020 8359 7443
Email: licensingadmin@barnet.gov.uk