Chapter 4: Introduction of an age limit on ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines

Gambling License: Understanding UK Regulations

There are currently only three Small 2005 Act casinos in operation from the eight licences available. This requirement was intended to ensure a balanced offer of gaming products in 2005 Act casinos, which had a significantly higher gaming machine entitlement than 1968 Act casinos. The government is proposing to operate two regimes for 1968 Act casinos whereby they can either operate under the existing rules with no increase to their gaming machine allowance or they can take up their new gaming machine entitlements under the new rules. Casinos with multiple licences at the same physical location could site more than 80 machines under the new regime – it is not clear whether the current rules are clear enough to prevent this situation from arising in practice. The implications for operating and premises licence fees, bringing 1968 Act casinos in line with existing fee scales for 2005 Act casinos, are also discussed later in this chapter. It is our intention that these casinos can continue to operate under the existing regime, whereby they are permitted no more than 20 machines where at least one is of Category B (or they may elect to have any number of Category C or D machines instead).

“larger converted casino premises” means premises in respect of which a converted casino premises licence has effect, and which— In fact, being part of the GamStop self-exclusion scheme is mandatory for all UK-licensed online operators. Rawa Kaftan is a regulatory lawyer in Wiggin’s Betting & Gaming team and advises key stakeholders in the gambling industry, including many of the world’s largest online B2C operators, software suppliers, payment service providers and investors. Finally, in June 2025 the UK Government announced that it plans to introduce a “Voluntary Code” for prize draw operators whose offerings do not require a licence under the gambling framework because of the presence of a free entry route.

While not as liberalising as Option 3, responses from some operators indicated that increases in Category B cabinets would not be vastly different to projections provided for Option 3. The majority of these respondents stated a preference for Option 2, as this would place the greatest restriction on the number of Category B machines available in arcades and bingo clubs. These responses were strongly opposed to Option 2(a) and Option 2(b) on the grounds that the ratios proposed place too much emphasis on achieving commercial flexibility for businesses at the expense of mitigating against risks of gambling-related harm. The evidence provided by this operator projected that under Option 2(a), no further increases in Category B machines could be made, although 5% to 10% of Category C machines and up to 80% of Category D machines could be removed. While the majority of operators were supportive of Option 2(b), one small multi-site operator stated that this option would be commercially detrimental, requiring it to make an additional 12 Category C or D cabinets available to meet this ratio.

Chapter 4: Introduction of an age limit on ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines

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Therefore, we would welcome any responses which highlight concerns about this approach and how non-gambling areas could be calculated using a different method. However, we want to avoid any regulation that would allow table gaming areas to be placed in obscure or less accessible areas for customers so that a genuinely mixed offering of products remains in the casino. We appreciate that for commercial reasons and for a better customer experience, tables are already grouped together in casinos, often in one large area.

Should the government introduce an age limit on ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines to 18 and over? This does not distinguish between ‘cash-out’ and ‘ticket-out’ machines. The survey found that in the last 12 months, 3% of respondents had spent their own money on fruit or slot machines and a total of 6% had experience of playing on fruit or slot machines. While under-18s may make up a small proportion of total players, there is evidence that they do play on these machines. We expect this measure to restrict the play of under-18s on machines in scope.

• In arcade premises, 2.3% of Category B gaming machine sessions result in losses of £200 or more, compared to 2% of combined Category C, Category D and mixed sessions.
• Many older Category C cabinet machines are reported to produce GGY at the lower end of that scale as they are outdated and less appealing to customers.
• Premises licence fees are collected by licensing authorities for applications and annual renewals to cover the cost of administration of their gambling duties and gambling enforcement.
• The flat additional annual fee payable for a licence that combines all three activities is £12,500.

An existing licensed 1968 Act casino operator already holds an operating licence for remote betting and wishes to make use of the new Regulations to provide SSBT facilities in its casino. An existing licensed 1968 Act casino operator already holds an operating licence for non-remote betting and wishes to make use of the new Regulations to provide non-remote sports betting facilities in its casino (without providing any Self- Service Betting Terminal (SSBT) facilities). It will not be possible for a casino licensee to rely on an ancillary remote betting licence, even where SSBTs are available alongside a non-remote offering, as the ancillary remote betting licence is bound to a betting premises licence. To offer self-service betting terminals (SSBTs), casinos would be required to apply for a remote general betting (standard) (real events) licence. Licence holders should also consider whether, as a result of the changes and gambling facilities offered, an operating licence (OL) variation is required with regards to fee category and/or the licensed activities being offered (such as betting).

Please share any evidence or information that is relevant to the proposed amendment to the definition of gaming tables since the government stated its intention to make this change in 2018. Neither partially automated nor wholly automated gaming tables, including products such as pinball roulette, will count as ‘gaming tables’ for these purposes. The customer demand for 40 gaming tables does not exist, which can mean that a number of tables are sited but never used. This clarifies that wholly automated gaming tables are not gaming tables for the purposes of section 172(3) to (5) of the Act. The Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) Regulations 2009 makes provision as to how references to “gaming tables” should be interpreted in this context. (Mandatory response)Large increase in demand / Small Increase in demand / No change in demand / Small decrease in demand / Large decrease in demand / I don’t know

Our online fees calculator can help you with understanding the amounts of your application, first annual and annual fees. The fees you need to pay depend on what you are applying for, and what your anticipated gross gambling yield (GGY) is. The Gambling Act 2005 defines a casino as an arrangement whereby people are given an opportunity to participate in one or more casino games.

Do you think premises should adopt voluntary test purchasing as a way to monitor under-18s activity on Category D ‘cash-out’ slot-style machines? Further research finds evidence that there is a correlation between the recollection of playing Category D machines in childhood and adult disordered gambling, although causation cannot be shown. Bacta, which represents the amusement and gaming machine industry in the UK, have an existing voluntary commitment for their members to ban all under-18s from playing Category D ‘cash-out’ machines. However, Category C machines must be in a segregated part of the premises that is supervised to prevent children and young people accessing those machines. Licensed operators are required to place Category B and C machines in age-restricted areas to ensure that under-18s do not have access to them. This change will not only strengthen the existing voluntary commitment from industry, by making it an offence to allow under-18s to play this type of gaming machine, it will also level the field between operators who are signed up to the voluntary code and those who are not.

(6) The premises must contain a non-gambling area, the floor area of which is no less than the lesser of— (3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), in determining the floor area of the table gaming area, any number of separate areas within the premises may be taken into account. (2) The premises must contain a table gaming area, the floor area of which is no less than the lesser of— “(1) This paragraph applies to larger converted casino premises.”, and

Under Option 1, we received responses from industry which suggested that only slight increases in Category B gaming machines would be made. As highlighted in Chapter 2 of the land-based gambling consultation, we are aware that Category B gaming machines on average result in greater customer losses per session than Category C and D gaming machines. However, some licensing authorities posited that rather than removing lower staking machines, gambling operators should be deploying novel solutions to saving energy, such as incorporating standby and sleep functions on machines which are not in use. However, even when accounting for device type (i.e. cabinet, in-fill or tablet), the responses suggest that Category C and D gaming machines generate less GGY than Category B machines.

This will take into consideration that there is likely to be diminishing returns, such that the more machines you have, the less GGY would be generated per machine. This will be used to model the estimated total increase in GGY for casinos in the final impact assessment. Combining this with the number of machines, this yields an average annual GGY of £57,500 per machine.

This instrument brought the British system into line with various of the European so-called “regulated markets”, where the requirement to obtain a licence for that market and account for gambling duty extends to remote providers of gambling outside the jurisdiction. If you run a gambling business for profit without the relevant licences, you could be committing an offence and you could be prosecuted. We act for businesses throughout the world in applications for UK Gambling Commission Operator’s Licences and UKGC and local authority premises licences. Those licensees who want to utilise the new entitlements will have to apply to the relevant licensing authority to vary the premises licence, so the premises layout plan reflects changes in operation.

You can apply online for a licence from us to provide casino activities. You will need to apply for an operating licence, before you apply for any premises licences. You will need to apply to the licensing authority the premises is located, to get a premises licence. The Gambling Act 2005 permits the advertising of gambling in all forms, provided that it is legal and there are adequate protections in place to prevent such advertisements undermining the licensing objectives. Under the second stage of the process the authority has to decide between the competing applications and grant any available licences to those applications which in their opinion will result in the greatest benefit to its area.

Allowing direct use of debit cards on gaming machines – made negative statutory instrument. This response provides non-remote gambling operators with clear notice of our intention to introduce the measures set out within this government response. This licence is for existing casinos which were originally licensed under the Gaming Act 1968 (opens in new tab).

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Having considered the consultation objectives, stakeholder responses and supporting evidence, we are proposing to lift the prohibition on direct debit card payments on gaming machines subject to the introduction of the player protection measures detailed within this chapter. These responses primarily came from small businesses who supplied tablet gaming machines to the market. Responses stated that the commercial flexibility permitted by Option 2(b) would enable bingo operators to reduce the number of Category C and D gaming machines which they make available, while making slight increases in the number of Category B cabinet gaming machines. One operator, under both options, stated that it would increase the number of Category B cabinets machines by 2 to 3 per venue, while removing the vast number of smaller in-fill gaming machines. In regards to the second objective, under Option 3, the evidence provided suggests that over time it is likely that many operators would reduce their offer of Category C and D cabinet gaming machines substantially and offer predominantly Category B cabinet gaming machines. The first is to ensure that operators benefit from commercial flexibility to increase GGY through the ability to make more Category B machines available and/or reduce their energy costs through the removal of underused Category C and D gaming machines.

These sanctions can run into millions of pounds and several high-profile operators have fallen foul of the British regulator and suffered this outcome. However, in practice, and as a general rule, the Gambling Commission will not normally pursue a criminal investigation into a licensed operator, as in most cases it will consider that the matter under investigation is likely to be capable of being dealt with by the exercise of the Gambling Commission’s regulatory powers. There are a variety of ways that the Gambling Commission can deal with non-compliance by licensees, ranging from enhanced compliance procedures and regulatory settlements to licence reviews and formal enforcement action.

These laws ensure proper protection measures and responsible gambling practices from the operator’s part. These operators employ player protection measures like SSL encryption, secure payment portals, firewalls, and two-factor authentication to keep you and your data safe. By signing up on sites licensed by the UKGC, you can rest knowing that the games won’t be rigged. For instance, QuickBet, Funky Jackpot, and HotWins Casino will offer you top-notch mobile casino experience in the UK. Every casino operator optimises their sites for both desktop and mobile devices. With several debit card and e-wallet options available, your withdrawals will reach your account within a few hours after processing.

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Wiggin serves as the leading advisor to the global gambling industry’s top players, setting itself apart by understanding both national and international laws and regulations like no other firm. He is a commercial and regulatory lawyer and specialises in all aspects of online and land-based gambling. It is also worth noting that, in recent months, the Gambling Commission issued an “Industry Warning Notice” to those B2B operators that it has licensed after observing that certain games developed by such licensees appear accessible to British consumers on B2C websites that are not licensed by the Commission. More generally, the Commission is known to issue cease and desist letters, carry out test purchasing, take steps to disrupt payment flows and engaging with search engines to prevent URLs belonging to unlicensed operators appearing in search results.

In 2019, members of the Bacta trade association decided to take voluntary action to ban under-16s from playing ‘cash-out’ slot-style machines while unaccompanied by an adult on their premises. Category D machines are typically played by families and children and are usually found in seaside arcades, family entertainment centres (FECs) and unlicensed FECs. Whilst there are some forms of indirect cashless payment methods under the current framework, as well as ATMs near some gambling locations, the lack of future-proofing for payment methods does risk a real decline in gaming machine GGY. This will include assessing the non gamstop casino role of session limits across Category B and C machines alongside safer gambling tools.

However, other factors (such as a change in the premises layout) may mean that an application to vary the premises licence is required. That OL will need to be granted to the operator before it can make SSBTs available on the casino premises. As SSBTs involve remote communication, the operator will need to apply to the Commission for a remote general betting (standard) (real events) OL. An existing licensed 1968 Act casino operator wishes to make use of the new Regulations to provide SSBT facilities in its casino. 2This condition only applies to converted casinos that choose to exercise the extended entitlement. While the powers to make changes to gaming machine entitlements are reserved, the protective measures that the government views as necessary accompaniments to any such change are devolved2.

Running an online casino for UK consumers requires a Remote Casino Operating Licence under the Gambling Act 2005. For example, it will allow you to supply gambling software via methods of secure file transmission or to make gambling software available for download by operators from your server. A UKGC licence is authorisation from the UK Gambling Commission for a company to offer gambling to players in Great Britain.

A casino application can take up to 16 weeks to process depending on the complexity of your business. The LCCP outlines the requirements that all operating and personal licence holders must follow. The following legislation and policies are also applicable to operating licence holders. Personal Management Licences allow people to work in certain roles in a gambling business.