High court upholds Gambling Commission’s appeal

Press release

Date: 30 March 2010

The Gambling Commission (the Commission) has won an important test case about what constitutes a gaming machine under the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act). The ruling confirms the Commission’s view that a machine offering players the chance to win credits that can be exchanged for a cash prize is classed as a gaming machine.

The Commission is once more warning that it will take action against those who supply gaming machines illegally, and making it clear that machines that offer such ‘cashable credits’ are considered as gaming machines in the same way as machines that deliver instant cash prizes.

Following the case the Commission's Director of Regulation, Nick Tofiluk, said:

"The Gambling Commission is pleased that its appeal has been upheld by the court and the law clarified. It's in everyone's interest to put a stop to the illegal supply of gaming machines."

Ends

Notes to editors

The Gambling Commission

  1. 1. The Gambling Commission (the Commission) regulates gambling in the public interest alongside its co-regulators local licensing authorities. It does so by keeping crime out of gambling, by ensuring that gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and by protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling. The Commission also provides independent advice to government on gambling in Britain.
  2. 2. The Commission and local icensing authorities are responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling in Great Britain other than the National Lottery and spread betting, which are the responsibility of the National Lottery Commission and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) respectively.  

Further information

  1. You can call John Travers on (0121) 230 6700, (07852) 124624 or email him via communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.