Under the Gambling Act 2005 ("the Act") there are three
types of Club recognised:
Members' clubs
These must have at least 25 members and be established or
conducted mainly for purposes other than gaming. The Club should
not be established to make a commercial profit and should be
controlled by its members. Examples include most sports clubs,
working men's clubs, branches of the Royal British Legion and
politically affiliated clubs. Although members clubs should
generally be established or conducted for purposes other than
gaming, regulations may permit certain types of gaming clubs.
Commercial clubs
These have the same characteristics as members clubs, except
that they are established to make a profit. An example of such a
club would be a snooker club. Certain bridge and whist clubs may
operate as commercial clubs if they are established to make a
profit.
Miners' welfare institutes
The definition of this class of club has changed to reflect
social and economic changes since their establishment. These are
associations established for recreational or social purposes. They
are managed by a charitable trust which has received funds from one
of a number of mining organisations.
Under Section 271 of the Act, we may grant members' clubs and
miners' welfare institutes (but not commercial clubs) Club Gaming
Permits which authorise those establishments to provide gaming
machines, equal chance gaming and games of chance as prescribed in
regulations. This is in addition to the exempt gaming authorisation
under Section 269 of the Act. Club Gaming Permits allow the
provision of no more than three gaming machines. These may be from
categories B3A, B4, C or D The Club is permitted to choose the
combination of machines on its premises. If a Club does not wish to
have the full range of facilities permitted by a Club Gaming Permit
or if they are a commercial club not permitted to provide
non-machine gaming (other than exempt gaming under Section 269 of
the Act), they may apply to the Authority for a Club Machine Permit
under Section 273 of the Act. This authorises the holder to have up
to three gaming machines of categories B3A (this category is not
available for commercial clubs) B4, C and D. Club Gaming Permits
replace the permissions provided by Part II registration under the
1968 Gaming Act, whilst Club Machine Permits replace the
permissions provided by Part III registration under the 1968
Act.