Gambling licensing policy

In line with national guidance, bingo can be played in any premises for which a premises licence has been granted which authorises this activity. This will be a relevant consideration where the operator of an existing bingo premises applies to vary their licence to exclude an area of the existing premises from its ambit and then applies for a new premises licence, or multiple licences, for that or those excluded areas.

Under the Act, children and young persons cannot be employed in providing any facilities for gambling on bingo premises and children cannot be employed, in any capacity, at a time when facilities for playing bingo are being offered. However, young persons may be employed in bingo premises (while bingo is being played), provided the activities on which they are employed are not connected with the gaming or gaming machines.

The Licensing Authority considers that the ability of children to enter bingo premises poses a particular risk in terms of access to gaming machines. The Licensing Authority expects applicants to propose robust procedures to ensure that no such access occurs.

The Licensing Authority will take account of any current guidance from the Commission as to the suitability and layout of bingo premises.

Bingo premises may only make gaming machines available for use where there are substantive facilities for non-remote bingo as set out within Section 9.1.2 of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice.