What are my responsibilities?
Pubs that choose to make machines available
to the public must only do so during the hours
that the premises licence allows the sale of
Machines
alcohol. They should also adhere to the Code games duty Gaming machines in pubs
of practice for gaming machines in clubs For machines where at least one of the
and premises with an alcohol licence. This prizes on offer is cash, and it is more than
is also available on the British Beer and Pub the smallest cost to play the machine, you
Association website, alongside with further must pay Machine Games Duty (MGD).
information on additional responsibilities.
If MGD applies to you, you’ll need to
The code of practice particularly emphasises register and complete regular returns.
the importance of preventing underage access For further details visit:
to machines not suitable for those under 18 www.gov.uk/who-pays-machine-games-duty
(category C and above). It is the responsibility
of the Designated Premises Supervisor to
ensure that any machines made available on the
premises are supervised either by staff or other
means, in order to prevent under-age access on
under 18 prohibited machines.
In circumstances where a pub function room may
be open for hire, any machines available in the
function room may be available for use* under the
alcohol premises licence. Therefore the code of Further information
practice applies and must be upheld in the function
room also, in particular regarding supervision.
on our website
* We consider that a gaming machine is ‘available for
► Poker in pubs – a quick guide
use’ if a person can play it. If a customer is able to put ► Facilitating betting in pubs
a machine into use for example, by switching it on at
the mains or simply removing a notice on the screen
and clubs is illegal
– it is also considered as available for use. www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Victoria Square House, Victoria Square,
Birmingham B2 4BP A quick guide for premises owners
Tel: 0121 230 6666 Fax: 0121 230 6720 Making gambling fairer and safer
www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk Published 03/2018
Gaming machines in pubs – A quick guide for premises owners
What are my machine entitlements?
Qualifying alcohol licensed premises are entitled
(under Automatic Entitlement) to provide two
gaming machine permit must be acquired from
the relevant LA by application. It is then at the
Crane grab machines
gaming machines of category C or D upon LA’s discretion to consider the application and
Crane grab machines which have an element
notification to the licensing authority (LA). issue a permit.
Automatic Entitlements are only applicable to of chance are category D gaming machines.
Where a gaming machine permit authorises
alcohol licensed premises, where there are bar For further information on these machines see:
the making available of a specified number of
facilities available on the premises for the sale gaming machines in particular premises, this will ► Skill with prize machines:
and consumption of alcohol. effectively replace, and not be in addition to, any A quick guide for licensing officers
In order to site more than two category C or D Automatic Entitlement to two machines.
gaming machines, an alcohol licensed premises ► Non-complex cat D gaming machines
Where an LA has a concern about the suitability of the premises or licence holder to offer machine facilities to
the public, the LA has, in certain circumstances, the power to dis-apply and remove the Automatic Entitlement.
Category of machine Maximum stake Maximum prize Sourcing machines
C £1 £100
D non-money prize 30p £8 All machines must be sourced and maintained If a machine is illegally supplied this poses a risk
by a Gambling Commission licensed supplier. to the first licensing objective of keeping crime out
D non-money prize (crane grab machines only) £1 £50
There are certain maintenance and repair of gambling. A machine that does not meet the
D money prize 10p £5
activities which may need to be carried out on regulations and technical standard requirements
£8 (of which no more than
D combined money and non-money prize 10p a day-to-day basis, for which additional licences may also risk the fair and open licensing objective
£5 may be a money prize)
D combined money and non-money prize £20 (of which no more than or permits are not required. For more information and therefore pose a risk of harm to members of
20p
(coin pusher or penny falls machines only) £10 may be a money prize) visit the gaming machines section of our website. the public interacting with these machines.
Machines supplied by an unlicensed machine If you have any concerns about a supplier or
Change of licence holder supplier are considered illegally supplied wish to verify that they are licensed by the
If the licence holder ceases to be the holder of to use their Automatic Entitlement. A re-notification machines and pose a serious threat to the Gambling Commission you can do so by visiting
the relevant alcohol licence for the premises, of the Automatic Entitlement is required only where licensing objectives. the register on our website or contact our
the Automatic Entitlement to the two gaming there is a change in the alcohol licence premises
confidential intelligence line (0121) 230 6655.
machines also ceases. holder (either due to a transfer of licence or
Whoever applies for the new premises alcohol application for new licence), not for a change in
licence would also need to notify the LA under Designated Premises Supervisor/Designated
s.282(2) of the Gambling Act 2005 of their intention Premises Manager alone. A machine ID plate and supplier
details may, in some cases, be
Machine requirements found on the same plate or sticker,
Machines made available for use in a pub should display particularly where a manufacturer is
or have the following information available on them: also the supplier. Displaying supplier
Machine category (either C or D) Supplier details details directly on the machine is not
Return to player percentage ID plate (for machines after 2007)
a statutory requirement; however an
No under 18s sign (category C only) Stake to play and maximum payout
Signposting for gambling support services (eg Gamble Aware) operator should have and be able
to share knowledge of their supplier
It is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure the machine meets the regulatory requirements
prior to making them available for use to the public. If a machine fails to meet the requirements above, and their details where necessary.
it is the business owner and not the machine supplier that is liable for this failure.
