Gaming machines at fairs and fairgrounds
What type of machines can be made available at travelling fairs?
Only Category D machines can be made available at travelling fairs. In broad terms Category D machines are low stake fruit machine style machines, coin pushers (sometimes called penny falls) or crane grabs. Category D machines can be identified by their low stakes and prizes as shown in the examples in this guide.
Who can work with gaming machines?
Only a company or an individual with a Gambling Commission operating licence or a valid single machine permit (which only covers one machine for one year) can supply or do any maintenance work on a gaming machine.
You must not sell or supply gaming machines unless you have a Gambling Commission operating licence. In some cases you can sell through a licensed gaming machine supplier or by having a single use permit.
Can under-18s work with gaming machines?
Under 18s are allowed to play Category D machines but they are not permitted to work in connection with any gaming machine – that means every part of working with the machine including even emptying the cash box.
What is a Category D gaming machine?
Only Category D machines can be made available at travelling fairs. Other category gaming machines must be located in premises that are licensed by a licensing authority.
The following Category D gaming machines can be made available at travelling fairs.
Fruit machine style
- maximum stake is 30p if the prize is non-cash
- maximum stake is 10p if the prize is cash
- maximum cash prize is £5.00
- maximum non-cash prize is £8.00.
You must make sure the machine you have does not exceed these stakes.
Coin pusher style
- maximum cash prize is £10, so the maximum note you can place inside the machine is a £10 note and the maximum prize is £20, of which only up to £10 can be cash, the remainder must be non-cash
- maximum stake is 20p.
You must make sure the machine you have does not exceed these stakes.
Crane grab style
- maximum non-cash prize is £5
- maximum stake is £1.
Crane grab machines are normally defined as category D machines. Further details are available in gaming machine technical standards for non-complex category D gaming machines.
Last updated: 1 November 2021
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