Under the Game Act 1831 Act it is an offence to take or kill any game without a licence. The Game Licences Act 1860 extended this to the buying and selling of game. 'Game' is deemed to include hares, pheasants, partridges, rabbits and deer. In general, many of the leading supermarket chains and some smaller high street or suburban stores hold game dealer's licences.

Anyone carrying on such a business who is not licensed should apply for a licence by contacting Technical Services and appropriate information and/or forms will be provided. An initial inspection of the premises will be carried out, followed by an annual inspection, upon renewal of the licence.