Warning over machines presented as games of chance

Press release

Date: 28 September 2010

The Gambling Commission (the Commission) is working with the key trade bodies in the pubs, clubs and gaming machine sectors to ensure pubs and clubs stay within the law when offering gaming and other machines.

Businesses are being reminded that machines presented as offering games of chance such as roulette, bingo or poker are gaming machines and not Skill with Prize machines (SWPs) as again confirmed in the recent advice issued by the Commission and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).  

The Commission keeps a close eye on the boundary between gaming machines and SWPs and already has an investigation underway into suppliers of apparently non-compliant gaming machines.

The Commission is warning clubs, pubs and arcades that suppliers may offer them machines as SWPs which are in fact gaming machines. They should take particular care over machines with prizes above £50(4) as, if not quiz machines, they are more likely to be gaming machines.

The Commission’s National Compliance Manager for Gaming Machines, Stuart McPhee said:

“Put simply, machines that look like casino or bingo games are gaming machines and therefore can only be made available for use with the appropriate licence or permit. 

“If you are making prize machines available in your pub, club or arcade and are uncertain of their legal status please check with your supplier or manufacturer that you are not breaking the law.” 

Further information is also available at Skills with prize machines and Skills with prize machines: Quest Gaming Ltd – Skill Stop Roulette

Ends

Notes to editors

The Gambling Commission

  1. 1. The Gambling Commission (the Commission) regulates gambling in the public interest. 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 is 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.
  3. 3. The Commission is also highlighting the recently published explanatory notes issued on Skill with Prizes (SWP) machines by both the Commission and HMRC. Further information can be found online. These give a number of indicators to help decide if a machine is a SWP or a gaming machine.
  4. 4. The Commission has yet to be persuaded that it is possible to manufacture a genuine SWP machine if you offer prizes beyond £50 (the prize limit set by BACTA following discussion with the Commission) - the Commission considers that to make such machines commercially viable with those higher prizes there has to be compensation or similar mechanisms which may make them gaming machines.
  5. 5. The Commission’s reminder is being supported by the BACTA, CORCA and BBPA who are all actively drawing the details to the attention of their members.

Further information

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