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B3 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).

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

AGC and bingo premises licences granted before 13 July 2011 are entitled to make available four (for AGC) or eight (for bingo) category B3/B4 gaming machines, or 20% of the total number of gaming machines, whichever is the greater.

B3 gaming machines requirements

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

Up to a maximum of 20% of the total number of machines available for use on the premises

Maximum number of machines - betting shops and tracks with pool betting:

Up to a maximum of 4

Any combination of categories B to D

Maximum number of machines - 2005 Act large casino:

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

B3 machines can only be made available in casino, betting shops, tracks with pool betting, bingo halls or adult gaming centres.

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 (categories B3 and B4) for the full details of the technical standards which this category of machine must comply with.

All gaming machines sited on casino, betting or AGC 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)

B3 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 lab 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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B3A gaming machines
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