Cookies on the Gambling Commission website

The Gambling Commission website uses cookies to make the site work better for you. Some of these cookies are essential to how the site functions and others are optional. Optional cookies help us remember your settings, measure your use of the site and personalise how we communicate with you. Any data collected is anonymised and we do not set optional cookies unless you consent.

Set cookie preferences

You've accepted all cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Skip to main content

Guidance

Guidance to licensing authorities

The Gambling Commission's guidance for licensing authorities.

Contents


8 - Self-service betting terminals (SSBTs)

20.39. S.235(2)(c) of the Act provides that a machine is not a gaming machine by reason only of the fact that it is designed or adapted for use to bet on future real events. Betting operators may make available machines that accept bets on live events, such as horseracing, as a substitute for placing a bet with a member of staff. These self-service betting terminals are not gaming machines; they merely automate the process that can be conducted in person and therefore are not regulated as gaming machines.

20.40. Licensed operators may install SSBTs on tracks. There is no restriction on the number of SSBTs that may be in use, but operators must, by virtue of their operating licence conditions, supervise such terminals to prevent them being used by those under 18 years of age.

20.41. There is no formal requirement on track premises licence holders to involve themselves in the procedures used by betting operators to supervise their SSBTs (unless specific local conditions specifying supervisory arrangements are added to the track premises licence by the licensing authority). Some betting operators may agree supervisory assistance to be provided by employees of the track premises licence holders, but this is a commercial matter between the track owner and betting operators.

20.42. While track premises licence holders have no formal responsibilities in this regard, the Commission has advised them to inform it of instances where they are aware that betting operators are persistently failing to ensure the adequate supervision of their SSBTs.

Previous section
Gaming machines
Next section
Applications
Is this page useful?
Back to top