Personal Licences
As part of your Operating Licence the Gambling Commission may also require you to apply to them for a personal licence.
There are two types of personal licence – management licences and functional licences – both of which require applicants to be of good character and have a certain level of experience.
The Personal Management Licence (PML) will be required if you are part of a management team of more than three people. The Gambling Commission consider you to be part of the management team if you are concerned with:
- Overall strategy of the business
- Financial planning, budgeting or control
- Marketing or commercial development
- Regulatory compliance
- Gambling IT provision or security
- Area management for a number of shops
- Management of a bingo or casino
If these functions are carried out by three or less people in your business, you may be able to avoid the need for this licence under the small business exemption.
The personal function licence (PFL) is required for people working in casinos who are directly involved in gaming or handle money such as:
- Croupiers
- Dealers
- Cashiers
- Inspectors
- Pit bosses
- Security staff monitoring gaming
- Supervisors of gaming activities
Whichever type of licence you require, we can assist you in the preparation and submission of your application to give you the best possible chance of getting your personal licence.
Glossary
Gambling Commission
Are an independent non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The Gambling Commission was setup under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain in partnership with licensing authorities.
Operating Licence
A Licence issued under part 5 of the Gambling Act 2005 by the Gambling Commission permitting the holder to carry on specified gaming or betting activities.
Personal Functional Licence (PFL)
A Licence issued under part 6 of the Gambling Act 2005 by the Gambling Commission. Personal Functional Licences are required by individuals working in a casino that are going to be involved in gaming or handling cash in relation to gambling. This includes the following positions:
- croupiers
- dealer in respect of casino games
- cashier
- inspector
- pit boss
- security staff employed to watch gaming and
- supervisor of gaming activities
You must apply and be issued with a personal functional licence (PFL) before you can start work in a casino. A maintenance fee is due in respect of these licences every 5 years. The Gambling Commission can also require information in order to be satisfied the licence holder is still a suitable person.
Personal Management Licence (PML)
A Licence issued under part 6 of the Gambling Act 2005 by the Gambling Commission. Normally people responsible for the following activities at licensed gambling operators require a PML:
- overall strategy and delivery of gambling operations
- financial planning, control and budgeting
- marketing and commercial development
- regulatory compliance
- gambling related IT provision and security
- management of licensed activity for a particular area in Great Britain where you have five or more sets of premises for which you hold a premises licence
- management of a single set of premises in respect of which a casino or bingo premises licence has effect.
A maintenance fee is due in respect of these licences every 5 years. The Gambling Commission can also require information in order to be satisfied the licence holder is still a suitable person.
Small-Scale Operator Exemption
If there are three people or fewer in relevant management positions in the business and they are all named on the operating licence.
Management positions are where the individual is responsible for one or more of the following management functions:
- overall strategy and delivery of gambling operations
- financial planning, control and budgeting
- marketing and commercial development
- regulatory compliance
- gambling related IT provision and security
- management of licensed activity for a particular area in Great Britain where you have five or more sets of premises for which you hold a premises licence
- management of a single set of premises in respect of which a casino or bingo premises licence has effect.
If you qualify as a small-scale operator you might not need to apply for a Personal Management Licence (PML).