Gambling Commission streamlines licensing process with new central resource

The Gambling Commission (UKGC) has launched a new centralised process allowing applications for personal licences (PML and PFL) and Annex A approvals to be submitted via one site. The new service forms part of a UKGC commitment to streamline the licensing process for prospective licensees and those wishing to change an existing licence. Personal Management Licences (PML) are required for any individuals working on overall strategy and delivery of gambling operations for licensed gambling operators, in diverse areas including financial, marketing, commercial and compliance. Personal Functional Licences (PFL) are required for individuals working predominantly within the land-based sector, including croupiers, supervisors, cashiers and security staff. The service is supported by an updated processing tool, which means that applications should be processed at a faster rate while also providing regular updates on progress. UKGC executive director Helen Venn said: “I am very pleased that we can continue to automate our licensing services by making it easier to apply but also quicker to process. “This new service is a good example of delivering positive outcomes for users through collaboration between our licensing and digital teams,” she added. The UKGC launched a similar efficiency upgrade to its system for individuals wishing to change their PMLs in August 2020. As a result of those changes, the average processing time decreased from 53 days when the service was launched in 2019 down to just 12 days. In addition, the time required for PML holders to complete and submit a maintenance application to change their details plummeted from several days to just under an hour.