Sports & Leisure UK-wide

Which sports, amusement and recreation regulations apply to your business

Sports clubs, gyms, swimming pools, theme parks, fairgrounds, adventure activity providers and amusement arcades share the same workplace safety foundation, then the rules diverge by what you operate and whether your activity triggers a licence, certificate or permit.

Guide summary

Start with health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – these apply to every sports, amusement and recreation business. Then check if your activity needs a licence, safety certificate or permit (for example, serving alcohol, running rides, coaching children, or operating gaming machines). Follow all obligations that apply to your business before opening or continuing to trade.

  • Follow health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
  • Identify which activities your business covers from the list of 7 regimes
  • Get a premises licence if you serve alcohol or host sports events
  • Obtain a safety certificate for swimming pools, rides or fairgrounds
  • Apply for adventure activity licensing if you provide outdoor activities
  • Get a gaming machine permit if you operate amusement arcades
  • Check safeguarding duties if you coach or work with children
  • Use the compliance checklist to confirm you have met all obligations
  • Penalties for safety failures can include unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison
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Sports, amusement and recreation businesses bring the public into contact with physical activity, water, mechanical rides, licensed entertainment and — in some cases — gambling. The workplace health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 apply to every operator. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces in Great Britain; the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) enforces in Northern Ireland.

Beyond that shared foundation, the rules diverge by what you operate. Some activities require a licence, safety certificate or permit before you can open to the public.

What you need to do

Identify the description that best fits your business. If more than one applies — for example you run a leisure centre with a swimming pool, a gym and a licensed bar — follow every obligation that applies.

  1. 1

    Every sports, amusement and recreation business

    Whatever you operate, start with the universal spine. Follow "Set up and run a safe sports, amusement and recreation business" for your health and safety, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection duties.

  2. 2

    You run venues serving alcohol, host sports events, operate a pool, coach children, run rides, offer adventure activities or operate gaming machines

    These activities carry their own licensing, certification, safeguarding or safety duties on top of the universal spine. All seven activity-specific regimes are covered in "Meet your sports, amusement and recreation regulatory duties" — from premises licences and sports ground safety certificates through to adventure activity licensing and gaming machine permits.

  3. 3

    Confirm you have covered everything

    Whatever you operate, finish with the sports, amusement and recreation compliance checklist to confirm your obligations are met before you open or continue trading.

Official sources

Authoritative starting points for sports, amusement and recreation businesses.