Before filing an application for an operating licence, owners of gambling businesses in the UK should be aware of the types of licenses issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Currently, the country’s regulatory body issues three types of licences, which may be needed individually or all together depending on the situation.
As Casino Guardian has reported in a previous publication, gambling businesses on the territory of the UK is required to operate under one of these three types of licences: a regular operating licence issued by the UKGC, a personal management licence issued by the UKGC or a premises licence issued by the business’ local licensing authority. Whenever it comes to a remote gambling company, which operates either online or through other means on the territory of the country, a license issued by the UKGC is also needed. Gambling licences for low-level gambling hubs, including clubs and pubs, are also provided by the local regulatory authority.
Here are the operating licences issued by the UK Gambling Commission as far as Arcades are concerned.
Arcades
Arcades or arcade games are types of entertainment machines that are operated by coins and are usually installed in various public hubs such as amusement centres, bars, clubs, etc. There are different types of arcade games, including pinball machines, video games, merchandisers, redemption games and electro-mechanical games.
Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) Operating Licence
This type of licence is issued for the Adult Gaming Centres, which are often called arcades and the premises in which they are located are open to customers over the age of 18. The AGC licence allow operators to provide their customers with limitless number of machines of category C and D as well as up to four, or 20% of the total number of the operator’s machines of category B3 and B4.
Holding an AGC licence provides business owners with the opportunity to apply for linked licences which are aimed at helping them with the maintenance of their gambling software and gaming machines. On the other hand, operators who would like to hold gaming machines of category D only, or bingo prize gaming machines, they must get a permit from their local licensing authority, but not from the UK Gambling Commission.
Also, business owners should be aware of the fact that different application fees and annual fees are applied to the operators depending on the number of premises held by them.
Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) Operating Licence
This type of licence allows operators to hold a limitless number of gaming machines of category C and D in premises that are open to customers of all ages.
Holding such a licence allows gambling business owners to also apply for linked licences. When it comes to the gaming machines of category D and bingo prize gaming machines, the same rules apply as the ones in regards to the AGC operating licence. Also, operators are not required to hold a licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission whenever they have machines that do not offer a prize, or the prize is worth the same or less than the amount of money paid to play the machine.
The application fees and annual fees for FEC operating licence holders depend on the number of premises owned.
- Author
Daniel Williams
