Permits
Mark S. Elliott has spent 25 years working in various management roles within the tenanted and leased divisions of the UK's largest breweries and pub companies. His extensive knowledge and day-to-day involvement with pubs and publicans make him well qualified to know what is required to run a successful pub. He shares his knowledge and many 'insider tips' with you in this book. Mark is based in Cockermouth, Cumbria.
PERMITS
Legal requirements
In order to operate an AWP on licensed premises, you must have a permit issued under Section 34 of the Gaming Act 1968. These are issued by your local authority and are granted for a minimum of three years.
Section 34 of the Gaming Act 1968 provides for 2 types of AWP machines:
- ‘Coin or token’ machines with a maximum stake of 30p and a maximum prize of £ 5 cash or £ 8 non-cash. (These are covered by S34 (1) of the Gaming Act 1968.)
- ‘All cash’ machines with a maximum stake of 30p and a maximum prize of £ 25. (These are covered by S34 (5e) of the Gaming Act 1968.) These machines must be played only by persons over 18 years old.
Premises licensed for alcohol must apply under S34 (5e) but may then have either ‘all cash’ or ‘coin or token’ machines. The fee payable for the grant and renewal of this permit is £ 32.
Conditions and restrictions
Under the Gaming Act 1968, local authorities have the power to limit the number of AWP machines in a premises on a case-by-case basis, but cannot impose blanket limits on numbers of machines. From autumn 2007, the new Gambling Act decrees that alcohol-licensed premises are automatically entitled to two AWP machines, provided they comply with a simple notification procedure.
As a result of amendments made to Schedule 9 of the Gaming Act by the Licensing Act 2003, previous requirements that AWP machines must be located in a bar have been removed. That said, when deciding where to locate machines, they should be positioned in an area where they can be supervised. The Gambling Act 2005, outlaws children under 18 from playing AWP machines with a maximum prize of more than £ 8.
