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B2 gaming machines

There are duties to be paid on gaming machines. You should read this information in conjunction with the guidance from HMRC on GOV.UK (opens in new tab).
B2 gaming machines are also known as fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBT).

Gaming machines may contain games of more than one category. For example, a B2 gaming machine may also offer category B3 and category C games.

Requirements for B2 gaming machines

Maximum stake:
£2
Maximum prize:
£500
Permitted locations:
  • 2005 Act and 1968 Act casinos
  • betting shops
  • tracks with pool betting.
Maximum number of machines - 2005 Act large casinos:

Up to a maximum of 150

Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 5:1

Maximum number of machines - 2005 Act small casino:

Up to a maximum of 80

Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 2:1

Maximum number of machines - 1968 Act casino:

Up to a maximum of 20

Any combination of categories B to D - or any number of C or D machines instead

Licences and permits required

B2 machines can only be made available in casino, betting shops or at tracks with pool betting.

You must have one of the following types of licence to make them available:

If you are a machine manufacturer or supplier you will need a gaming machine technical licence, which type will depend on the nature of your business.

Gaming machine technical standards

See our gaming machine technical standards (category B2) for the full details of the technical standards which this category of machine must comply with.

All gaming machines sited on casino or betting premises must comply with our gaming machine technical standards.

Test houses

Category B1, B2, and B3 gaming machines must be tested by an independent test house to ensure they comply with the technical standards in full. Test houses are also sometimes referred to as test labs.

For categories A, B1, B2, B3, B3A, B4, C, D, server networked and downloadable, cashless payment, linked progressives and wireless networks refer to the gaming machine testing strategy.

Return to player (RTP)

B2 machines must display the 'theoretical target percentage return to player'. RTP is an average measured over a large number of games and will vary over a typical session due to normal game volatility.

The manufacturer will decide on the game RTP.

There is no minimum RTP requirement. However, the minimum average return must be displayed to the player for the game.

The value displayed must be verified either by the manufacturer or accredited test house for categories B1, B2, B3 and B3A.

Files

Some files may not be accessible for users of assistive technology. If you require a copy of the file in an accessible format contact us with details of what you require. It would help us to know what technology you use and the required format.

PDF Files Some PDF files cannot be displayed in a browser, you will see a message saying "Please wait...". If you see this message, you will need to download the file and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader (opens in a new tab).

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B3 gaming machines

Last updated: 11 December 2023

Show updates to this content

Following an audit corrected link formatting issues only. Test house link updated

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