Gambling premises licence

The Gambling Act 2005

The Gambling Act 2005 received Royal Assent on 7 April 2005 and gives effect to the Government’s proposals for reform of the law on gambling. The Gambling Commission was created under the Act and a new licensing regime for commercial gambling introduced. Further information about the Gambling Act 2005 is available on the Department of Culture, Media and Sport website.

The Commission are responsible for granting operating and personal licences for commercial gambling operators and personnel working in the industry. In England and Wales, local authorities will also be responsible for a number of regulatory functions in relation to gambling. 

These functions include:

• licensing of premises for gambling activities;
• consideration of notices given for the temporary use of premises for gambling;
• granting permits for gaming and gaming machines in clubs and miners’ welfare institutes;
• regulation of gaming and gaming machines in alcohol licensed premises;
• granting of permits to family entertainment centres for the use of certain lower stake gaming machines;
• granting of permits for prize gaming;
• consideration of occasional use notices for betting at tracks; and
• registration of small societies’ lotteries.

The Act contains three licensing objectives which underpin the functions that the Commission and licensing authorities will perform. These objectives are central to the new regulatory regime created by the Act. They are:

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

Statement of Licensing Policy

The licensing authority is required to prepare, every three years, a ‘Statement of Licensing Policy’ that has at its core the three licensing objectives.

Gambling Act – Statement of Licensing Policy (2023)

Making an application

Gambling Act 2005 fees (PDF 14KB new window)

To find out how to make an application, please contact:

Licensing Section,
Environment Directorate,
Flintshire County Council,
County Hall,
Mold,
Flintshire,
CH7 6NH

Telephone: 01352 703030

Email: licensing@flintshire.gov.uk

(It would assist us if you include your name, postal address and telephone number in any written communication).