Operating Licence (Gambling)

Under section 65 of the Gambling Act 2005, the Gambling Commission may issue operating licences authorising a licensee to carry on particular gambling activities — including a casino operating licence, a bingo operating licence, a general betting operating licence, a pool betting operating licence, a betting intermediary operating licence, and gaming machine operating licences.

Section 33 makes it a criminal offence to provide facilities for gambling unless an exception applies — most commonly that the person holds an operating licence authorising the activity and carries it on in accordance with the licence's terms and conditions. A person guilty of the offence is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for up to 51 weeks, a fine, or both. Applications for both personal and operating gambling licences are made to the Gambling Commission, an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.