Gaming Machines

Guidance notes

  1. This form is to be used for the notification of intent to make up to 2 gaming machines of categories C and / or D available for use within the specified premises under section 282 of the Gambling Act 2005.
  2. The premises must:
  • be licensed under the Licensing Act 2003 to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises,
  • not be subject to any licence requirements that alcohol is to be served only with food,

         and

  • have a bar for serving alcohol to customers on the premises.
  1. The gaming machines must be located on these licensed premises.
  2. The ‘Premises Licence Holder’ is the person(s) or organisation that holds the Premises Licence, authorising the supply of alcohol at the premises concerned under the Licensing Act 2003.
  3. If it is intended to operate more than 2 Gaming Machines in these licensed premises, then a Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permit must be obtained from the licensing authority.
  4. There is no expiry date for this entitlement, once the licensing authority has been notified. However, should the (Licensing Act 2003) Premises Licence be transferred to a new holder, the notification will lapse and the new holder would need to submit a new notification. Additionally, the licensing authority may make an order which has the effect of removing the automatic entitlement. In these circumstances, the holder of the licence would be notified of the intention to issue such an order, and given the opportunity to contest it. 
  5. Sections 282 and 283, as well Regulations made under the Gambling Act 2005, provide for two categories of gaming machines which may be located in alcohol-licensed premises. These are:

Machine Category 

Maximum charge to use

Maximum prize value
Category C £1 £100

Category D

 Money Prize 10p £5

Non-money prize

Crane grab machines

Other machine type

£1

30p

£50

£8

Combined money/non-money prize: 
Coin pusher/falls machine 
Other machine type

20p

10p

£20 (max, £10 prize money)

£8 (max, £5 prize money
  1. All alcohol-licensed premises which provide gaming machines for use on the premises must comply with any relevant Code of Practice issued by the Gambling Commission under s.24 of the Gambling Act 2005. The Gaming Machine Code of Practice for alcohol-licensed premises is available via the Gambling Commission’s website, www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
  2. You may wish to request an acknowledgement of receipt of the notification. Please tick the appropriate box to indicate to where you wish this to be sent.

Your completed notification form should be sent, together with payment for the prescribed fee, to:

Licensing Surrey Heath Borough Council, Surrey Heath House, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3HD

 

Tel: 01276 707100

Email: licensing@surreyheath.gov.uk

What do I need to know?

Machine Categories

Summary of gaming machine categories and entitlements:

Category of Machine

Maximum Stake

Maximum Prize
A Unlimited
No category A gaming machines are currently permitted
B1 £5 £10,000
B2 £2 £500
B3A £2 £500
B3 £2 £500
B4 £2 £400
C £1 £100
D - non-money prize 30p £8
D - non-money prize
(crane grab machines only)		 £1 £50
D - money prize 10p £5
D - combined money prize and non-money prize 10p £8
(of which no more than £5 may be a money prize)
D - combined money prize and non-money prize
(coin pusher or penny falls machines only)		 20p

£20

(of which no more than £10 may be a money prize)

Adult gaming centre, family entertainment centre (licensed and unlicensed), casino, betting and bingo operators are entitled to offer a set number of gaming machines of certain categories, depending on their premises.

There are also rules regarding the positioning of gaming machines, and all machines must adhere to the Commission's Gaming Machine Technical Standards, including legacy machines, which must also be registered with the Gambling Commission. Operators will also need to be familiar with the Gaming Machines (Circumstances of Use) Regulations 2007 with which those to whom they supply and for whom they design and manufacture machines will be required to comply.

Any operator manufacturing, supplying, installing, adapting, maintaining or repairing gaming machines must apply for a gaming machine technical operating licence.

Several devices or systems are excluded from being defined as gaming machines. These Include:

  • Domestic or dual use computer
  • Telephones or other machine for facilitating communication
  • Machines designed or adapted to bet on future real events
  • Lottery terminals
  • Machines designed or adapted for the playing of bingo (including by way of prize gaming)

Machines designed or adapted for the playing of bingo by way of prize gaming in reliance on a family entertainment centre gaming machine permit or prize gaming permit.

  • Semi automated casino games and
  • Fully automated casino games

Further Information