Classes 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 according to the type of premises in which they are made
availble for use. 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 Machine
|
Maximum Stake
|
Maximum Prize
|
Age
|
|
A
|
Unlimited
|
Unlimited
|
18
|
|
B1
|
£2.00
|
£4,000.00
|
18
|
|
B2
|
£100 (in multiples of £10)
|
£500.00
|
18
|
|
B3
|
£1.00
|
£500.00
|
18
|
|
B4
|
£1.00
|
£250.00
|
18
|
|
C
|
£1.00
|
£70.00
|
18
|
|
D Money Prize
|
10p
|
£5.00
|
no age limit
|
|
D combined money and non-money prize (other than coin pusher or
penny falls machines
|
10p
|
£8.00 non-monetary prize |
|
| D non-money prize (crane grab machine) |
£1.00 |
£50.00 |
|
| 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) |
|
| D non-money prize (other than crane grab machine) |
10p |
£8.00 |
|
Category A Machines
Category A machines will only be available at a regional casino
and will be the only gaming machines with unlimited stakes and
prizes. A regional casino can make up to 1250 machines available
irrespective of the number of gaming tables made available for
use.
Category B Machines
Category B machines are divided into four sub-categories (B1,
B2, B3, and B4) according to stake and prizes.
Category B1 machines may only be made available
in casinos and have a maximum stake of £2.00 and a maximum prize of
£4,000.
Category B2 includes gaming machines known as
fixed odds betting terminals where the stake and prizes from an
individual game can be rolled over into the next game up to a
maximum stake of £100 per game (or £15.00 per chip) and a maximum
prize of £500.00. These machines will only be available in casinos
and licensed betting offices. The licensed betting offices are
restricted to making four machines available for use.
Category B3 machines may only be made available
in casinos, bingo premises, betting premises and tracks with pool
betting, and adult gaming centres. Bingo premises and adult gaming
centres are limited to making four machines available for use.
Maximum stake is £1.00 with a maximum prize of £500.00.
Category B4 machines will be permitted to be
available in casinos, bingo premises, adult gaming centres,
members’ clubs, commercial clubs and miners welfare institutes. The
maximum stake is £1.00 with a maximum prize of £250.
Category C Machines
Category C machines may be made available in all premises other
than an unlicensed family entertainment centre (with a licensing
authority permit) or travelling fair. The maximum stake is £1 with
a maximum prize of £70.
Category D Machines
Category D machines may be made available in all of the
locations where gaming machines of category A, B or C are
available. In addition, they may be made available in unlicensed
family entertainment centres and travelling fairs. The maximum stake and maximum
prizes are dependant on the type of machine.
There is concern that these machines are attractive to young
persons and as such they may not be made available in such places
as taxi offices, fast food or late night refreshment outlets
where the primary business operation is not gambling.
No person under the age of 18 years shall have access to
any gaming machine other than those in category D.
Specific Offences include:
- Permitting persons under 18 to gamble.
- Permitting persons under 18 to enter parts of a family
entertainment centre where category C machines are available for
use.
- Permitting persons under 18 to enter areas where category C
machines are situated.
Contact the Licensing Section
Telephone: 01304 872295
E-mail: licensing@dover.gov.uk
Post:
Licensing Section
Dover District Council
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent CT16 3PJ
