Gambling Act 2005 - family entertainment centres

Family gaming centre

Family Entertainment Centres

A Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) is an amusement arcade that only has category C and D machines and may be open to under eighteens.

Before applying for an FEC premises licence you must have obtained an Operators licence from the Gambling Commission or be in the process of applying for one.

Please complete the application form then telephone the Licensing Authority on 01392 265702 to make an appointment to see a licensing officer. In order for your application to be processed it must be accompanied by the appropriate fee (please see below) and the plans of the premises outlining the licensable areas in red at a scale of 1:100. You will need to display a notice of your application for 28 days in a convenient location outside the premises. You must display a notice in the local newspaper within 10 days of the Licensing Authority receiving your application.

A copy of the application and plans must be served on the Police and the Responsible Authorities (see Gambling Act 2005 - responsible authorities) on the same day the application is made to the Licensing Authority.  There is a 28 day period in which to make a representation. Members of the public who are deemed to be interested parties (ie living in the vicinity of the premises) can also make relevant representations within the 28 days. At the end of the 28 day period if NO relevant representations are made then the licence will be granted. If however relevant representations are made, then the application will be referred to a licensing committee hearing, where the outcome of the application will be determined.

Please note: If the licence is granted it will be subject to an annual fee please see below.

Family Entertainment Centres - Permits

If an FEC has only category D machines available for use then an FEC permit can be issued by the Licensing Authority. No operator's licence is required from the Gambling Commission.

Fees and Charges

• New Premises Licence: £1768.00
• Provisional statement: £765.00
• New premises following a provisional statement: £1120.00
• Annual Fee: £590.00
• Variation: £790.00
• Transfer: £765.00
• Change of circumstances: £50.00
• Copy of the licence: £27.50

Unlicensed FEC permits

• Application fee: £330.00
• Application fee existing operator: £110.00
• Renewal fee: £330.00 
• Change of name: £27.50
• Copy of permit: £16.50

Application Form

•  Application under gambling act 2005 [128kb]

Guidance

•  Family entertainment centre premises licence [31kb]
• Gambling Commission Unlicensed FEC Permit
• Gambling Commission FEC guidance