Occasional Use Notices

The Gambling Act 2005 provides two separate methods by which occasional betting activities or temporary gambling facilities can be authorised in locations which do not have the appropriate gambling premises licence.

These are Occasional Use Notices and Temporary Use Notices.

Southampton City Council is the licensing authority for these matters within the city.

Give an Occasional Use Notice – Section 39

There is no fee associated with giving an Occasional Use Notice.

Occasional Use Notices (OUN) are intended to allow holders of Gambling Commission operating licences to provide betting facilities at tracks for short periods, without the need for a betting premises licence, where the event on which the betting is taking place is of a temporary nature and is infrequent. Examples of such locations would include point to point racecourses, motor racing venues and some cricket grounds.

Occasional Use Notices can only be used for eight days or fewer in one calendar year in one location. Provided that the notice will not result in betting facilities being available for more than eight days in a calendar year, there is no provision for counter-notices or objections to be made.

A notice must be served on the licensing authority by the person who is responsible for the administration of events on the track or by the occupier of the track. A copy of the notice must also be served on the police for the area where the track is located.

The notice must specify the day on which it has effect; notices may be given in relation to consecutive days, so long as the overall limit of eight days is not exceeded in the calendar year. Please see the related documents link to the right for the appropriate form.

Who can provide betting facilities under an Occasional Use Notice?

Only holders of Gambling Commission betting operator’s licences can provide betting facilities under an occasional use notice.

Please note that betting operators cannot provide gaming machines at tracks by virtue of an occasional use notice. Gaming machines can be provided by betting operators only through betting premises licences, which refer to a specific licensed area.

Data Protection

Please note that the licensing authority may be required by law to disclose to the appropriate authorities, from time to time, further information relating to applications and licences for the purposes of law enforcement and the prevention of fraud.

Occasional use documents

The Gambling Act 2005 provides two separate methods by which occasional betting activities or temporary gambling facilities can be authorised in locations which do not have the appropriate gambling premises licence. The forms for occasional use notices are below - the forms for temporary use notice are on the Temporary Use Notices page.

Southampton City Council is the licensing authority for these matters within the city.

Document Type Size
Gambling Act 2005 Feespdf118.4 KB
Occasional Use - Noticedocx29.8 KB