News Changes to Operating Licence Fees from April 2017

“Following joint consultation by the Gambling Commission and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport last year on the fees structure for operating licences, the Gambling (Operating Licence and Single-Machine Permit Fees) Regulations 2017 No.303 will come into force from 6th April 2017.

The Regulations will bring in changes to the categorisation of fees for several operating licences. Significantly, fees for non-remote bingo, general betting (standard), adult gaming centre and family entertainment centre operating licences will be categorised based on annual gross gambling yield, rather than the number of premises operated under the licence. The fees for non-remote casino operating licences granted under the Gambling Act 2005 will also be re-categorised based on annual gross gambling yield, instead of the size of the casino.

The Gambling Commission says the introduction of the new regime should result in an overall decrease in the fees paid by operators, reflecting the increased efficiency with which the Commission process applications.

The Regulations will also introduce four new ‘host’ sub-categories of remote operating licence; casino (game host), bingo (game host), general betting (host) (real events) and general betting (host) (virtual events). These are aimed at gambling software licensees who also provide facilities for gambling by making their games available directly to customers of remote casino, bingo and betting operators.

In addition to these key changes, the Regulations will make a number of other amendments and for further information the full Regulations and Government’s response to consultation can be viewed via the links below.”

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/303/made

http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/consultations/Proposals-for-Gambling-Commission-fees-from-April-2017-consultation-response-2016.pdf