Hong Kong Amusement Game Centre Licence Requirements: When a Club Permit Is Needed

Hong Kong Amusement Game Centre Licence and Club Permit Requirements

Any operator running a commercial game centre in Hong Kong must obtain a hong kong amusement game centre licence from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) before opening to the public. This licence covers establishments whose primary activity is providing amusement games, including video games, skill-based machines, or amusements with prizes. A separate FEHD club permit applies to private clubs that offer games as an ancillary activity. The two regimes impose different conditions.

Game Centre Licence Hong Kong

A game centre licence from the FEHD is the standard authorisation for a premises that charges admission or operates machines for public amusement. The licence classifies centres into two types based on clientele and the nature of the games.

Children’s game centre - Permitted for persons under 16. Games must be skill-based and may not involve amusements with prizes that could be construed as gambling. The centre must operate within restricted hours, between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm. No alcohol may be sold or consumed on the premises.

Adult game centre - Permitted for persons aged 16 and above. Games may include amusements with prizes, but strictly within the limits set by the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148). The licence imposes a minimum age of entry and an opening hours restriction that prohibits operation between 2:00 am and 7:00 am. Adult game centres may also require a separate music licence or entertainment licence if amplified music or live performances are provided.

Amusement Centre Permit Hong Kong

The term “amusement centre permit” is sometimes used informally to refer to the FEHD licence for amusement game centres. Legally, the permit is the same instrument as the game centre licence, issued under the Amusement Centres and Club Permits Ordinance (Cap. 184A). Before granting the permit, the FEHD will inspect the premises to check fire safety compliance, structural safety, and operator suitability. The applicant must provide a layout plan, proof of business registration, and a certificate of fire service installation.

Club Permit Hong Kong FEHD

A club permit from the FEHD is required when a private club offers amusement games to its members. Unlike a commercial game centre, a club does not charge a gate fee. It restricts access to members and their guests. The club permit covers premises where games are provided as part of the club’s amenities, not as the principal purpose. Examples include a social club with a game room or a members’ sports club with electronic dart boards.

The application process for a club permit is similar to that for a game centre licence. The conditions differ. The club must maintain membership records, limit opening hours, and ensure that no person under 16 is admitted unless accompanied by an adult member. The club permit does not authorise amusements with prizes unless the prizes are of minimal value and the game is not a game of chance. The FEHD will inspect the club premises and may impose additional restrictions based on the location and nature of the activities.

Hong Kong FEHD Amusement Licence

The FEHD is the sole licensing authority for amusement game centres and club permits in Hong Kong. The department handles both the initial application and ongoing compliance. The FEHD amusement licence for a game centre is distinct from other FEHD licences, such as those for food businesses or beauty and massage establishments. An operator cannot combine activities under a single licence. A game centre that also serves food must apply for a separate food business licence from the FEHD.

The application requires:

• A completed application form (FEHD provides a standard form for each licence category)
• A copy of the Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department
• A layout plan of the premises drawn to scale
• A certificate of fire service installation from a registered fire service contractor
• A copy of the certificate of incorporation (if the applicant is a company)

The FEHD may also require a certificate of structural safety from an Authorised Person if the premises is in an older building.

Operator Suitability and Premises Inspection

The FEHD assesses the operator suitability of every applicant. The department checks whether the applicant has any criminal record under the Gambling Ordinance, the Money Lending Ordinance, or the organised and serious crime legislation. A conviction for illegal gambling, loan sharking, or triad-related offences likely disqualifies the applicant. The operator must also demonstrate the financial standing to run the centre lawfully.

FEHD officers carry out the premises inspection. They check:

• Fire safety compliance - fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and fire alarm systems
• Structural safety - floor loading for heavy machines, ceiling height, and escape routes
• Sanitary conditions - toilet facilities and ventilation
• Noise control - soundproofing to avoid nuisance to neighbours

If the premises fails inspection, the FEHD will issue a list of remedial works. The applicant must complete these before the licence is granted.

Age Restriction and Opening Hours Restriction

The FEHD imposes strict age limits and hours on game centres. A children’s game centre cannot admit persons aged 16 or over unless they are accompanying a child. An adult game centre cannot admit anyone under 16. The operator must display the age restriction at the entrance and enforce it.

Opening hours for adult game centres are restricted. The centre must close between 2:00 am and 7:00 am. For children’s game centres, the hours are narrower, closing by 11:00 pm. The FEHD may adjust these hours on a case-by-case basis if the premises is near schools or residential areas.

Connection to Gambling and Money Lending Restrictions

Any amusements with prizes offered in a game centre must comply with the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148). Games must be predominantly skill-based, not games of chance. The operator cannot offer cash prizes. Prizes must be goods or vouchers of minimal value. The FEHD, together with the Hong Kong Police, monitors compliance and can revoke a licence for gambling offences.

The Money Lending Ordinance (Cap. 163) also applies. Game centres are not permitted to operate lending services or to allow money lenders to operate on the premises. The FEHD will refuse a licence if there is evidence that the premises is linked to a money lending business.

Music Licence and Entertainment Licence

If a game centre plays recorded music or hosts live performances, it requires a separate music licence from the Copyright Office or the relevant copyright societies. The FEHD does not issue music licences. If the centre offers floor shows or dancing, an entertainment licence from the Home Affairs Department may be needed.

Trade Licence and Business Registration

A Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department is mandatory for every business. It is not a trade licence. The Business Registration Certificate authorises the business to trade; it does not allow the operator to run a game centre. The FEHD licence is the specific trade licence for that activity. The two documents are issued separately. Both must be current for the centre to operate legally.

Renewal and Ongoing Compliance

The game centre licence and club permit are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The FEHD will inspect the premises again before renewal. The operator must maintain records of opening hours, incidents, and complaints. Failure to comply with licence conditions can result in suspension or revocation.

Further Information

The FEHD publishes application forms and guidance notes for each licence category. Consult the Amusement Centres and Club Permits Ordinance (Cap. 184A) and the subsidiary legislation for detailed conditions. For specific questions, the FEHD’s Licensing Office is the first point of contact. The Companies Registry (https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/home/index.htm) handles company registration, which is separate from the licensing process.