Track Betting Licence
Date published:
A track betting licence authorises the provision of betting facilities, by bookmaking and by means of a totalisator, on the licensed track. A licence lasts for 7 years unless cancelled or revoked. At the end of that period, the occupier of the track must apply for a new licence.
Apply for a track betting licence
Article 37 of the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (NI) Order 1985 (the 1985 Order) makes provision for the Department for Communities to grant track betting licences.
How to apply
To apply for a track betting licence, applicants should complete the application form below, and provide the following information, returning to social.policy@communities-ni.gov.uk
a map showing the situation of the track together with a plan of the track on which the entrances and exits should be clearly delineated;
documentary evidence that there is planning permission in force to use the land in question as a track for the period during which the track betting licence would be in force, or that the land may be used as a track without such permission;
- a statement of the estimated number of spectators for whom accommodation is to be provided;
- a copy of the newspaper advertisements of the application; and
- in the case of an application in respect of a dog track, a copy of the rules under which dog racing will be conducted.
Copies of the application should also be forwarded to the following stakeholders to provide opportunity for objection or comment. The Department for Communities should be copied into this correspondence:
- the relevant district council and the relevant PSNI district commander,
- the owner of the track (where this is different from the applicant);
- for dog tracks, the Irish Coursing Club; and
- the Divisional Planning Officer to confirm the planning permission position.
Along with the application, an application fee of £46 must be paid to the Department for Communities. A licence fee of £464 will also be payable if the licence is granted. For information on payment methods, please contact the Department for Communities using the email address above.