Category D gaming machines – GOV.UK

Background

1. Family Entertainment Centres (FECs) are valued neighborhood belongings the place households can spend time collectively and have enjoyable. They are recognised by the federal government as making an necessary contribution to tourism and employment in lots of cities, notably close to the coast.

2. The variety of licensed FECs has been declining in recent times, from 220 in 2018 to 171 in 2024. Licensed FECs have seen their GGY decline from £53.6m in 2018 to 2019 to £38.7m in 2023 to 2024, representing a mean annual decline of over 5%.

3. Licensed FECs require a licence from the Gambling Commission whereas unlicensed FECs require a allow which is issued by the native authority. Both kinds of venues are allowed to supply a vast variety of Category D machines however licensed FECs may make Category C machines accessible to be used, so long as they’re in a segregated a part of the premises that’s supervised to stop kids and younger folks accessing these machines. 

4. Category C machines can solely be performed by folks aged 18 or older and have a most stake of £1 and a most prize of £100. By distinction, Category D machines wouldn’t have an age restrict and due to this fact might be performed by kids and younger folks. Category D machines are presently break up into 5 classes that govern the boundaries on stakes and prizes. These are:

a. Money-prize: most stake 10p, most prize £5 (cash prize solely)
b. Non-money prize: most stake 30p, most prize £8 (non-money prize solely)
c. Crane seize machine: most stake £1, most prize £50 (non-money prize solely)
d. Combined cash and non-money prize: most stake 10p, most prize £8 (of which not more than £5 could also be a cash prize)
e. Coin pusher or penny falls machine: most stake 20p, most prize £20 (of which not more than £10 could also be a cash prize). 

5. The principal energy to set the boundaries for stakes and prizes is supplied for in section 236 of the Gambling Act 2005 and requires the Secretary of State to outline the completely different classes of gaming machine, which might be accomplished by reference to financial limits on stakes and prizes making use of to various kinds of machine. The Categories of Gaming Machine Regulations 2007 used these powers to set stake and prize limits on gaming machines. These Regulations outlined limits for money-prize, non-money prize and mixed cash and non-money prize machines. The definitions of crane seize and coin pusher/penny fall machines had been added by the Categories of Gaming Machine (Amendment) Regulations 2009.  Subsequent adjustments had been additionally made to the stakes and prize limits for coin pusher/penny fall machines by the Categories of Gaming Machine (Amendment) Regulations 2014. The historical past of adjustments made to the stakes and prizes for Category D machines is about out in additional element in Annex A.

Rationale for change

6. In response to considerations from the British playing trade that a few of its sectors are persevering with to battle within the present financial local weather, the federal government is eager to take inventory of the consequences of current industrial pressures and discover methods wherein sustainable progress is likely to be supported in these sectors.

7. The authorities is evident that progress can’t be pursued at any price. It is vitally necessary to uphold the licensing targets set out within the Gambling Act 2005, which incorporates defending kids and different weak folks from being harmed or exploited by playing. This goal is a vital consideration in relation to Category D gaming machines, provided that these machines might be performed by, and are widespread with, kids. As famous by the Gambling Commission’s 2024 Young People and Gambling Report, 20% of 11 to 17 12 months olds spent their very own cash on arcade gaming machines similar to penny pushers or claw seize machines within the earlier 12 months. Our evaluation of Category D gaming machine stake and prize limits seeks views on whether or not there’s scope to stimulate the circumstances for socially accountable progress in an effort to help a sector that has been a cornerstone of British holidays and tourism for generations.

8. The final adjustments in stakes and prizes for Category D machines had been made in 2014 and solely elevated the boundaries for coin pushers/penny fall. The financial local weather for FECs has since modified, notably in gentle of closures in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent will increase in inflation and power prices. One lever that the federal government can pull to help these companies is to extend the stakes and prizes limits on Category D machines. 

Machines in scope of this stakes and prizes evaluation

9. Whilst Category D machines are usually thought-about to be lower-risk playing merchandise, the federal government understands that no playing exercise is risk-free. This stakes and prizes evaluation will give attention to machines that provide non-money prizes. While money might be reinserted for additional play, doubtlessly facilitating behaviours like chasing losses, tickets can not and haven’t any worth past what they are often redeemed for inside a venue. Balancing the dangers of potential hurt that might be attributable to rising stakes and prizes for Category D machines with the intention to help the sector, the federal government will give attention to these machines which provide non-money prizes and a mixture of cash and non-money prizes. 

10. In addition to the kind of prize {that a} machine pays out, different traits of machines are necessary to think about. Slot-style (or reel-based) Category D machines, often known as slot machines and fruit machines, are supplied in household leisure centres and may legally be performed by under-18s. These machines will pay out a small amount of money or tickets which might be exchanged for a small prize. ‘Cash-out’ slot-style machines have a most stake of 10p and a most prize of £5, whereas ‘ticket-out’ slot-style machines have a most stake of 30p and an equal of a prize price as much as £8.

11. As set out within the earlier authorities’s white paper, there are considerations that ‘cash-out’ slot-style machines share similarities with larger stakes machines, that are restricted to adults. The authorities intends to place an age restrict of 18 on these kind of machines, consistent with the proposals set out within the earlier authorities’s response to its session on measures associated to the land-based sector. As they are going to be allowed to stay on the ground of arcades and never be required to maneuver to an age restricted space, we won’t be taking a look at amending the stakes and prizes for one of these machine. This will mitigate the chance of hurt if somebody below the age of 18 is ready to play on certainly one of these machines. In addition, the federal government won’t take a look at rising the stakes and prizes for any machines which solely pay out money. This session will search extra views on the federal government’s intention to introduce the age restrict, consistent with the proposals set out by the earlier authorities.

12. There are additionally a spread of slot-style, or reel-based, machines that pay out in tickets. At the second, these machines fall inside the class of non-money prize machines, which might embrace a spread of various choices, together with slot machines, multi-slot machines, and ‘entertainment-style’ video games that comprise a component of probability. While many of those machines don’t resemble extra conventional grownup playing merchandise, slot-style machines do share similarities, similar to look and gameplay, with larger stakes machines. Therefore, the federal government doesn’t assume it’s applicable to extend the stakes and prizes on ‘ticket-out’ ‘slot-style’ machines. However, different machines that fall inside the non-money prize class, the place the utmost stake is 30p and the utmost prize is £8, might be in scope of this evaluation. The authorities is due to this fact consulting on separating out ‘ticket-out’ ‘slot-style’ machines from its present class, and we won’t think about a stake or prize enhance for one of these machine.

13. Crane seize machines, that are additionally solely allowed to pay out a non-money prize, might be included on this evaluation. The present limits of £1 most stake and £50 most prize had been final modified in 2009. These kinds of machines are additionally in contrast to different playing merchandise which can be accessible to adults to play. 

14. Category D machines that pay out a mixture of cash and non-money prizes, that are break up into two classes below the laws, may even be in scope of this evaluation. Coin pushers and penny fall machines are a separate class to different machines that pay out a mixture of prizes. While coin pushers have a most stake of 20p and most prize of £20 (of which not more than £10 could also be a cash prize), different machines are restricted to a most stake of 10p and a most prize of £8 (of which not more than £5 could also be a cash prize).

Government place and choices

15. The authorities wish to gather info and proof as a part of this session course of to totally perceive the impacts that any will increase to stakes and prizes would have by way of impacting income for operators, whether or not adjustments would encourage funding, and whether or not any dangers – notably to kids and younger folks – might be posed by altering these limits. We have set out choices for the completely different classes of machines to help session responses and to point the federal government’s present place. 

16. The effectiveness of this evaluation will depend upon the standard of the proof that we obtain. We strongly encourage all stakeholders to supply knowledge and proof associated to Category D machines, together with however not restricted to areas similar to gross playing yield by machine subcategory, present precise stake and prize ranges by subcategory, participant behaviour similar to common stake and session size, impacts of stake and prize limits on machine attractiveness, income and funding, and dangers of gambling-related hurt.

17. Details of the proposed adjustments are outlined within the sections beneath. A high-level overview of the proposed adjustments to stakes and prizes is as follows:

Crane seize machines

18. The class of crane seize machines was launched in 2009 and the stake and prize limits set at the moment – a most stake of £1 and a most non-money prize of £50 – have remained unchanged since. Crane seize machines play an necessary function in numerous playing venues, and notably seaside arcades. They are a staple of the household arcade setting, contributing to its distinctive attraction, and are an necessary income for operators. Costs for items similar to mushy toys and know-how similar to headphones have elevated considerably since 2009. According to the Bank of England, based mostly on knowledge from the Office for National Statistics, common costs of products included within the Consumer Prices Index within the UK have risen by over 55% from 2009 to 2025. This has impacted arcades’ capacity to supply enticing prizes to prospects. The authorities is sympathetic to the arcade sector’s name for a rise to the prize restrict to make sure that prospects are nonetheless drawn to play on machines the place bigger or higher-value prizes are supplied, recognising that enticing prizes are a key driver of engagement. The authorities believes that rising the utmost prize to £75 would make it extra possible for operators to maintain crane grabbers with high-value prizes as enticing choices in venues, thereby encouraging continued funding in these machines. Based on the present proof accessible to us and consistent with proposals from the trade, we aren’t proposing to make adjustments to the stake restrict for these kind of machines. Our view is that the stake restrict is about at an applicable stage, contemplating who can play the machine and that the prizes usually supplied are enticing to kids. We encourage suggestions from all related stakeholders on these proposals.

Non-money prize machines 

19. Non-money prize machines embody a wide range of video games seen in seaside arcades. They embrace low-stake fruit machines which resemble conventional slot machines and pay out in tickets, in addition to all kinds of non-slot fashion machines. ‘Roll down’ machines, which see gamers insert and roll cash down a chute with the target of touchdown them in a selected space to win a prize, fall into this class. Machines the place a participant pushes a button to cease a spinning wheel or dial and receives a prize based mostly on the ultimate place of the wheel or dial, the place this includes a major ingredient of probability, would additionally fall into this class. The class additionally consists of multi-slot machines, which characteristic a participant panel with a a number of selection of coin entry slots permitting stakes to be positioned on every of plenty of recreation parts – for instance, the machine may current a 5 horse race and have 5 slots every designated for betting on one of many horses. More usually, these machines embrace any machine that pays out in tickets which includes a component of probability. The trade has famous that some machines on this class, which have a bodily and online game ingredient however which additionally contain some ingredient of probability, might be tough to distinguish from talent with prize machines. Non-money prize machines have a most stake of 30p and a most prize of £8.

20. Skill with prize (SWP) machines should not classed as gaming machines, so there is no such thing as a restrict on the variety of SWP machines that may be made accessible in a single location. Skill with prize machines consists of a wide range of video games the place the higher one’s end result, the extra tickets one wins. Examples embrace basketball video games, video games the place prospects throw balls to knock down targets, and ‘skee-ball’ the place the purchasers goal to roll a ball down a ramp into goal holes. They additionally embrace digital amusement video games the place a participant may, for instance, transfer by means of a digital world whereas defeating digital characters and obtain a ticket payout based mostly on how far by means of the digital world they get. Skill with prize machines haven’t any authorized stake or prize limits. A voluntary restrict has beforehand been agreed between machine producers and commerce our bodies, limiting the value of 1 recreation to £1 and the utmost prize to £50 (wholesale worth).

21. The Gambling Act 2005 units out when a machine is categorised as a gaming machine and when it’s categorised as a Skill with Prize machine. The Gambling Commission supplies information and guidance to licensing officers on this matter. The essential distinction is whether or not any of the video games supplied on the machine quantity to ‘gaming’ as outlined in section 6 of the Gambling Act 2005, the important thing level of differentiation from different machines being whether or not the machine comprises a component of probability. In the Gambling Act 2005, ‘gaming’ means enjoying a recreation of probability for a prize. Any recreation that comprises a component of probability (until it’s so slight that it could moderately be disregarded) is a gaming machine. If only one recreation from a bunch of talent video games is a recreation of probability, then the machine as a complete is classed as a gaming machine.

Non-money slot-style machines

22. As outlined above, this class of machine consists of slot-style, or reel-based, machines with non-money prizes. These are low-stake fruit machines which pay out in tickets and that are accessible by kids. Although they don’t pay out in money, these machines usually resemble in look and gameplay higher-category, higher-stake machines accessible to adults, that are related to a larger danger of playing hurt than Category D machines. Other Category D machines are visibly completely different from, and performance in a unique method to, conventional reels-based gaming machines. Our place is that it will be useful to create a clearer distinction between video games which can be in contrast to grownup playing merchandise and people which can be. Therefore, the federal government is proposing to separate the non-money prize class in two. We intend for slot-style machines that provide solely tickets or different non-money prizes to be positioned right into a separate class from different non-money prize machines. This evaluation won’t think about any enhance in stake and prize limits for slot-style machines.

23. We envisage that the definition of non-money slot-style machines would embody any non-money prize machine that features a reel-based recreation, although we’re open to contemplating different definitions as a part of this session course of. We are aware that there could also be nuances related to bodily machines that imply that changes to this definition is likely to be needed. To outline a reel-based recreation, the federal government may draw on the definition that has been used for the introduction of a stake restrict for on-line slots. A reel-based recreation on this context would consult with: video games the place shifting or altering photographs or textual content are displayed by means of reels, visible representations of reels or different means, and a person might win a prize or different alternative or benefit, as represented by the ensuing association of these photographs or textual content. We welcome suggestions on this definition as a part of the session course of.

Non-money non-slot fashion machines

24. There are a wide range of non-money prize Category D machines that don’t resemble fruit machines and should not reel-based. Examples of those machines embrace ‘roll down’, ‘spin the wheel’ and multi-slot machines, as outlined in larger element at paragraph 18. Feedback from the arcade sector means that a rise to stakes and prizes for non-money prize machines may encourage funding in new kinds of Category D gaming machines which can be unattractive to web site as a result of present stake and prize limits. Our view is that there’s a case for giving household leisure centres extra flexibility over the stakes and prizes they’ll provide on these machines and to encourage a larger vary of types of machine and gameplay.

25. We are additionally aware of a number of concerns associated to a possible enhance to stakes and prizes on these machines. As set out by the Gambling Act 2005 and the Gambling Commission’s steering, non-money prize Category D gaming machine video games contain a component of probability, and could also be solely based mostly on probability. They may embrace language, mechanics or themes related to playing, similar to ‘jackpots’, spinning wheels or, as famous above, betting on the randomly decided final result of a mechanical horse race. It is due to this fact necessary that we absolutely think about any potential dangers that is likely to be related to making these machines extra enticing to kids and younger folks by means of will increase in stakes and prizes. This is particularly necessary given the wide range of video games that fall into this class. Additionally, for these causes, and the excellence in precept between Category D and Skill with Prize machines, we don’t assume it will be applicable to think about rising stakes and prizes for your complete sub-category to a stage just like the voluntary restrict agreed for Skills with Prize machines (£1 stake and £50 prize).

26. We respect the significance to the arcades of providing a wide range of video games to prospects at stake and prize ranges which can be enticing to prospects. The present restrictions on non-money prize machine stakes and prizes could also be a barrier to operators of investing in or upgrading these machines. Moreover, the proposal to separate reel-based machines right into a separate subcategory would imply that any enhance in stake and prize right here would solely apply to machines that don’t resemble higher-stake, adult-only slot machines. We are due to this fact open to contemplating a rise in stakes and prizes for these machines each to supply an inflationary adjustment and to assist facilitate operators providing a greater variety of machines and types of gameplay. We are due to this fact consulting on choices for a rise as much as a 50p stake and £20 prize restrict.

27. We are clear that any enhance have to be balanced in opposition to the target of defending kids and younger folks. We are aware of the wide range of machines on this class, in addition to the potential for improvements available in the market which may imply a blanket enhance in stakes and prizes throughout this class wouldn’t be applicable. To assist us assess the energy of the case for a rise in stakes and prizes, we encourage stakeholders to supply knowledge to display the industrial advantages of a stake and prize enhance in addition to proof associated to dangers of gambling-related hurt in kids or weak folks and mitigations the place these dangers are current. We are consulting on the next choices and welcome detailed suggestions and proof from all stakeholders:

Coin pushers and penny fall

28. Coin pusher machines are a stalwart of seaside arcades and supply leisure to each adults and kids. The present limits had been final adjusted in 2014 and limit these machines to supply a 20p most stake and a most prize of £20 (of which not more than £10 generally is a cash prize). The trade has known as for a rise in stakes and prizes to assist future-proof these machines by permitting as much as 50p per stake and a £50 prize (of which not more than £20 generally is a cash prize).

29. The authorities understands the significance of those machines to seaside arcades. For conventional, mixed cash and non-money prize coin pushers, the coinage system primarily dictates the rise in stake and prize on these kind of machines. Therefore, the following coinage enhance could be 50p. However, anecdotal proof from trade means that the overwhelming majority of coin pushers nonetheless function with 2p cash, with a comparatively restricted variety of 20p machines in operation, and that 2p and 10p cash are higher suited to the mechanics of pusher machines than 20p and 50p machines. Additionally, the velocity of play for conventional coin pushers is mostly solely restricted by how rapidly the participant can insert cash, and a rise to a 50p stake may end in considerably elevated losses in a brief house of time, in addition to a price of play larger than what is feasible on age-restricted Category C machines, which have a stake restrict of £1 per 1.5 second minimal play cycle. As kids are capable of play these machines, we’re due to this fact unconvinced that there’s a sturdy case for rising the stake restrict to 50p, which might symbolize a rise of 150%, presently. Unless we obtain compelling proof that there’s a vital want for such a rise, the federal government is minded to not enhance the stakes for these machines to 50p. We are as a substitute proposing to harmonise guidelines for pusher machines, leading to a rise within the most stake from 20p to 30p.

30. We respect that inflation because the final adjustment to limits in 2014 signifies that most prizes for these machines are prone to have turn out to be much less enticing to gamers. The Bank of England, utilizing CPI knowledge from the Office for National Statistics, estimates that common worth will increase from 2014 to 2025 to be over 35%. We recognise that the present £10 cash prize restrict prohibits operators from providing £10 notes as prizes, provided that cash may be gained alongside a notice, which might end in operators exceeding the £10 financial prize restrict by a small quantity. Increasing this restrict would enable operators to supply £10 notes as prizes. The authorities is due to this fact proposing a rise to the financial prize that may be supplied on pushers from £10 to £12, which we imagine will assist operators to extend the attractiveness of some coin pushers to gamers.

31. Under present rules, coin pushers which pay out in tickets (generally known as ‘closed loop’ pushers) fall into the non-money prize machine class. Our engagement with trade means that improvements within the pusher machine market have seen a major enhance within the variety of these machines, which carefully resemble conventional coin pushers by way of their mechanics however which pay out in tickets, and the place the merchandise that’s ‘pushed’ is commonly a token or ball slightly than a financial coin. The present rules imply that stakes and prizes for these machines, which carefully resemble coin pushers, are completely different from conventional coin pushers and are set at 30p and £8, like different Category D non-money prize machines. The authorities believes that, given the similarities between the looks and traits of those machines, there’s a case for aligning their categorisation and their stakes and prizes. We additionally count on this transformation to result in a clearer framework for operators.

32. For these functions, we’d suggest that the definition of a pusher machine broadly follows the definition that characterises mixed cash and non-money (conventional) pushers in the present day, as set out within the Categories of Gaming Machine Regulations 2007. We would due to this fact suggest that the class of ‘pusher’ machines consult with machines the place whether or not or not the particular person utilizing the machine wins a prize is set wholly or partly by both of the next:

a. the place wherein a coin or token involves relaxation after it has been inserted into the machine, along with the place of different cash or tokens which have beforehand been inserted into the machine to pay a cost to be used, or

b. if the insertion of a single coin to pay the cost to be used permits the particular person utilizing the machine to launch a number of tokens inside the machine, the place wherein such tokens come to relaxation after being launched, along with the place of different tokens which have beforehand been so launched.

33. Given that the utmost stake for non-money pushers is presently 30p as a part of the ‘non-money prize’ class, we’re proposing to set the utmost stake for the mixed ‘pusher’ class at 30p. This signifies that functionally, the utmost stake of a coin pusher would stay at 20p, given the dearth of a 30p coin, whereas ball or token-based pushers may retain a most stake of 30p (e.g. the place £1.50 inserted lets the participant launch 5 tokens). We additionally suggest to align the utmost non-monetary prize for each kinds of machine at £20, representing a rise within the most prize for ticket-out pushers to align them with the non-monetary prize worth for conventional coin pushers. This is alongside a rise within the most financial prize that may be supplied on pushers that pay out with cash and non-money prizes.

Combined cash and non-money prize machines (‘other’)

34. Machines which can be capable of pay out each cash and non-money prizes, which aren’t coin pushers, seem to make up a small proportion of all Category D machines. Discussions held with trade previous to this session haven’t highlighted any explicit points with this class of machine and now we have not obtained suggestions that means a rise in stakes and prizes could be particularly useful to the arcade sector. We should not minded to alter the stake and prize restrict from the utmost stake of 10p and most prize of £8 (of which not more than £5 could also be a cash prize).

35. However, the federal government is open to receiving proof by means of this session that outlines a convincing case for any adjustments to the boundaries positioned on these machines.

Introduction of an age restrict of 18 on ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines

36. In line with the place set out within the earlier authorities’s response to the session on measures referring to the land-based sector, we intend to make it an offence for an individual to ask, trigger or allow a toddler or younger particular person to make use of ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style gaming machines. We imagine a precautionary strategy is justified for slot-style video games that are just like adult-only gaming machines which pay out in money. This would carry the voluntary dedication of all Bacta members to stop under-18s from enjoying on these machines into laws. We welcome suggestions on something on this session or some other concerns that have an effect on the views of stakeholders on the proposals set out within the session response in relation to those machines.

37. We additionally welcome additional proof on the proposal that these machines needs to be allowed to remain in unrestricted areas in licensed and unlicensed FECs, and different premises together with however not restricted to pubs and travelling gala’s, to make sure that impacts on unlicensed FECs and different small companies which wouldn’t have any age restricted areas are proportionate. We would additionally welcome additional proof and knowledge on measures and greatest apply to make sure that kids and younger individuals should not enjoying on these machines, together with the proposal set out within the session response that the trade fund, conduct, and report on the outcomes of voluntary check buying for these machines.

Impacts

Impacts on operators

38. The authorities expects the proposed changes to Category D gaming machine stakes and prizes will yield a number of impacts for operators of FECs particularly, together with enhancing the attractiveness of machines and inspiring funding, for instance in new kinds of machines.

39. We notice plenty of limitations in relation to assessing the impression on operators of those proposals. While combination GGY for Category D machines as a complete from licensed household leisure centres (FECs) is printed by the Gambling Commission, combination GGY for Category D machines from unlicensed FECs, which might solely provide Category D gaming machines and function by means of a allow issued by licensing authorities, shouldn’t be collected by the Gambling Commission. For each licensed and unlicensed FECs, knowledge on the particular numbers of machines in every Category D sub-category, for instance the variety of crane grabbers, shouldn’t be collected by the Gambling Commission. We due to this fact wouldn’t have a view of whole GGY for every of those subcategories, and due to this fact estimating the impression on GGY of those proposals is difficult. There can be restricted granular knowledge accessible on participant behaviour similar to common stake, session size or exact win/loss per participant, as such knowledge is often not mechanically recorded. These limitations signifies that whereas we are able to infer traits and anticipate common impacts, exact, evidence-based modelling of how particular stake or prize adjustments will alter particular person participant habits is difficult. We will search extra granular knowledge of this nature as a part of this session. We anticipate that the standard of the proof that we obtain can have vital bearings on the selections that we take.

40. We count on the proposed enhance within the prize restrict for crane seize machines to £75 would enable operators to account for inflationary pressures on prize acquisition prices because the final evaluation in 2009, enabling them to supply extra enticing prizes. Particularly for these crane seize machines which provide higher-value prizes similar to know-how, that is anticipated to make these machines extra enticing to prospects. We equally count on the proposed enhance within the most prize for pusher machines to £20 (with as much as £12 as a cash prize) to make these machines extra enticing. We due to this fact count on the adjustments to end in a average uplift to GGY within the FEC sector.

41. We count on imposing an age restrict on cash-out slot-style Category D machines to have a restricted impression on GGY, particularly with machines remaining the place they are often performed by adults who’re accompanied by kids. Bacta, which represents the amusement and gaming machine trade within the UK, have an current voluntary dedication for his or her members to ban all under-18s from enjoying Category D ‘cash-out’ machines. Bacta’s members make up roughly 70-80% of the marketplace for household leisure centres and grownup gaming centres. Anecdotal proof from trade suggests {that a} low proportion of gamers of Category D ‘cash-out’ slot-style machines had been below the age of 18, even earlier than the voluntary ban.

Impacts on customers

42. We count on the proposals on this session to have a number of impacts on customers, largely aiming to boost their leisure expertise whereas sustaining applicable safeguards. We notice the info limitations related to Category D machines and welcome extra or new proof to tell our selections.

43. We count on that the proposed enhance in prize limits for crane seize machines (to £75) and pusher machines (to £20, with as much as £12 cash prize), and a possible enhance to stake and prize limits for non-money, non-slot fashion machines, to imply that prizes might be extra enticing to customers and to contribute to the participant expertise. Additionally, a rise in stakes and prizes for non-money, non-slot fashion machines may result in larger funding in non-money prize machines and a greater variety of gameplay accessible to customers.

44. We count on that the proposal to introduce a brand new class for non-money ‘slot-style’ machines would create a clearer distinction between various kinds of Category D non-money prize video games with completely different traits.

45. As famous within the Gambling Commission’s 2023 recommendation to the Gambling Act Review, there was little analysis concerning the long-term impacts of play on Category D machines, and it’s due to this fact tough to find out the extent of danger related to potential will increase in stakes or prizes for Category D machines. We welcome info and proof on these issues as a part of responses to this session. For nearly all of Category D machines, notably these accessible to all ages, the proposed adjustments preserve comparatively low stake and prize limits, and for machines that resemble adult-only playing machines we aren’t proposing any adjustments to stakes and prizes. This will make sure that the leisure minimises dangers of gambling-related hurt, per the family-friendly nature of FECs.