Coronavirus update

Due to the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020, the licensing service will not currently be accepting postal applications.

All applications should be made online, where they shall be processed according to the relevant legislation.

Any queries in relation to this should be directed to the Licensing Team on 020 7974 4444.

Application forms and fees

We are responsible for issuing the various gambling premises licences, permits, notices and other permissions. If you want to provide any of these activities, you will need to complete the relevant application form and pay a fee. Please refer to list below to see which licence or permit you need.

Gambling premises licence

A gambling premises licence is required for the following activities:

  • casinos
  • betting offices and race tracks
  • bingo clubs
  • adult gaming centres
  • family entertainment centres

Application form for gambling premises licence (PDF 33KB)
Application form to vary a gambling premises licence (PDF 33KB)
Application form to transfer a gambling premises licence (PDF 32KB)
Application form for the reinstatement of a gambling premises licence (PDF 30KB)
Application form for a provisional statement (PDF 33KB)

Permits/notices

A permit or notice is required for the following activities:

  • gaming machines in alcohol-licensed premises and members clubs
  • gaming in members clubs
  • unlicensed family entertainment centres
  • prize gaming

Application form for a gaming machine permit for an alcohol licensed premises (PDF 111KB)
Application form for a club gaming machine permit (PDF 47KB)

Fees

Fees for all types of licence and permit are included in our schedule of gambling fees (PDF 32KB).

Small Society Lotteries

Registering small society lotteries

A non-commercial society that wishes to operate lotteries, in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005, is required to register with the Licensing Authority for the area in which their principal office is located. Registrations run for an unlimited period, unless the registration is cancelled by the Society or the Licensing Authority.

Register a small society lottery

Small Society registration guidance

Please note that all applications must be provided in writing. The Camden Licensing Authority agrees that applications under the Gambling Act 2005 may be submitted online, but where this is done, the application, all supporting documents and the appropriate fee must also be sent immediately in writing to:

Camden Licensing Authority
Town Hall Extension
Argyle Street
London  
WC1H 8EQ

Definition of a non-commercial society

In order for the exemption of a premises licence to apply, the society promoting the lottery must be a non-commercial society.  A non-commercial society is one established and conducted for:

  • charitable purposes
  • the purpose of enabling participating in, or supporting of, sport, athletics or cultural activity
  • any other non-commercial purpose, other than private gain

Definition of a small lottery

A small lottery is defined by the Gambling Act 2005 as:

  • the proceeds of a single lottery does not exceed £20,000
  • the total proceeds of all lotteries held in a calendar year, counted from 1st January to 31 December of the same year, may not exceed £250,000
  • during the promotion of a lottery, the total proceeds for the calendar year may not exceed £250,000
  • it may not be promoted within the three calendar years after a lottery that exceeds the restrictions set out above.

The application fee for a new registration under the Gambling Act 2005 is £40 and the annual fee is £20.

Fees for all other types of licence and permit are included in our schedule of licensing fees.

For more information please contact the customer support team.

The Gambling Act 2005

The Act has three main objectives and it is our duty, as the Licensing Authority granting the licences, to ensure they are met.  The objectives are:

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

We must aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as we believe it is:

  • in accordance with any relevant codes of practice
  • in accordance with any relevant Guidance issued by the Gambling Commission
  • reasonably consistent with the Licensing Objectives
  • in accordance with the Licensing Authority's Statement of Licensing Principles.

Gambling Commission

The Gambling Commission is now responsible for issuing operating licences and personal licences for commercial gambling over £250,000 and people working in the industry.

Our gambling policy

We are currently consulting on proposed changes to our gambling policy. 

Camden’s Statement of Licensing Policy 2018-2021

The Council is the licensing authority in Camden for the purposes of licensing activity under the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act). Every three years we must publish a statement of licensing policy setting out the principles we will apply when exercising our licensing functions under the Act.

On 29 January 2018, the Council approved the current Statement of Licensing Principles 2018-2021 and we published the Statement on 8 February 2018 by placing notices in the Camden New Journal and on our website. The Statement took effect from 14 March 2018 and will expire on 13 March 2021.

Camden’s Statement of Licensing Policy  2018-2021(PDF)
Camden’s Local Area Profile (Gambling Act 2005) (PDF)

Enforcement

We will visit your premises to check you are running your business in accordance with the terms of your  licence. If you fail to act in accordance with the relevant codes of practice and guidance issued by the Gambling Commission, you are liable to a review of your premises licence or prosecution.