Gaming Machines - Categories & Allowances
Categories of Gaming Machines
The Gambling Act 2005 reclassified gaming machines and places restrictions on the type and number of machines that may be made available. It also places a minimum age of 18 years on players of all but Category D machines.
Generally, gaming machines are classified according to the maximum stakes and maximum possible prizes:
Category of Gaming Machines
| Category |
Maximum Stake |
Maximum Prize |
Age |
| A |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
18 |
| B1 |
£2 |
£4,000 |
18 |
| B2 |
£100 (in multiples of £10) |
£500 |
18 |
| B3 |
£2 |
£500 |
18 |
| B3A |
£1 |
£500 |
|
| B4 |
£1 |
£250 |
18 |
| C |
£1 |
£70 |
18 |
| D non-money prize (other than crane grab machine) |
30p |
£8 |
No age limit |
| D non-money prize (crane grab machine) |
£1 |
£50 |
No age limit |
| D money prize |
10p |
£5 |
No age limit |
| D combined money and non-money prize (other than coin pusher or penny falls machine) |
10p |
£8 (of which no more than £5 may be a money prize) |
No age limit |
| D combined money and non-money prize (coin pusher or penny falls machine) |
10p |
£15 (of which no more than £8 may be a money prize) |
No age limit |
Category A machines will only be available at a regional casino.
Category B1 machines may only be available at Casinos.
Gaming Machine Allowances
| Bingo Premises |
8 gaming machines category B3 and B4 or 20% of the total number of gaming machines made available for use on the premises, whichever is the greater.
Unlimited category C machines
Unlimited category D machines
|
| Betting Premises |
4 gaming machines category B2 to D |
| Track Betting Premises with Pool Betting Licence |
4 gaming machines category B2 to D |
| Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) |
4 gaming machines category B3 to B4 or 20% of the total number of gaming machines made available for use on the premises, whichever is the greater.
Unlimited category C machines
Unlimited category D machines
|
| Family Entertainment Centre Licence |
Unlimited category C machines
Unlimited category D machines
|
| Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centre Permit |
Unlimited category D machines |
| Members Club |
3 gaming machines category B4 to D |
| On-Sales Alcohol Licensed Premises (without food restriction) |
2 gaming machines category C to D by notification
OR
Unlimited category C to D machines with alcohol premises gaming permit
|
Application forms and guidance are available under 'Permits and Notifications' and 'Premises Licence - Gambling'