Apply for a licence or permit

Please contact the licensing team if you require more information, clarification or application forms to be sent by post.

Pay £40 for a new application for a small society lottery licence

Pay £20 for a renewal for a small society lottery licence

The Gambling Act 2005

The Gambling Act 2005 created the current system of licensing and regulation.

Gambling is unlawful unless permitted by:

  • The measures contained within the Act: or
  • The measures contained within the National Lottery Act 1993; or pursuant to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Two comprehensive offences are established by the Act:

  • Providing facilities for gambling or
  • Using the same without permission

The Act introduced a unified regulator for gambling in Great Britain - the Gambling Commission - and a new licensing regime for gambling, to be conducted by the Commission or by Licensing Authorities, depending upon the matter to be licensed.

Gambling Commission website

The Gambling Commission is responsible for granting operating and personal licences for commercial gambling operators, personnel working in the industry and some larger scale gaming.

Licensing authorities have powers to license gambling premises within their area, as well as undertaking functions in relation to lower stake gaming and compliance with the Act within their area.

The Act sets out three licensing objectives, which underpin the functions that the Commission and Licensing authorities will perform. These objectives are central to the new regulatory regime. They are:

  • preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder, or being used to support crime;
  • ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and
  • protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

Public nuisance and public safety are not included in these objectives and the council cannot take these into account in any representations that may be received when licences are applied for.

Statement of principles

The Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 for the London Borough of Merton (our policy statement) sets out our policy for dealing with applications and regulating gambling premises within the borough.

Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 (January 2022 to January 2025)

Contact us

Licensing
London Borough of Merton
1st Floor Annexe
Merton Civic Centre
London Road
Morden
SM4 5DX

Telephone: 020 8545 3969

Email: licensing@merton.gov.uk