Machine technical standards
Where a machine determines whether a player has an opportunity to win a prize partly by chance (using a compensator or control system to control the payout) but also by a player using a degree of skill to ultimately win the prize, the machine would be considered a game of chance and skill combined.
This is defined by section 6(2)(a) of the Gambling Act 2005 (opens in a new tab) as a game of chance and will therefore be defined as a gaming machine.
We will consider amending the definition of category D non-complex crane machines in our Technical Standards to replicate the definition of crane in The Categories of Gaming Machine (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (No 1502) (opens in a new tab).
A crane grab machine is a reference to a non-money prize machine in respect of which:
- every prize which can be won as a result of using the machine consists of an individual physical object (such as a stuffed toy)
- whether or not a person using the machine wins a prize is determined by the person’s success or failure in manipulating a device forming part of the machine so as to separate, and keep separate, one or more physical objects from a group of such objects.
In general, the only requirement needed to make existing crane grab machines compliant with this regulation and our technical standards would be to include a display notice on the machine stating that it is a category D gaming machine with the proviso that the stake or prize does not exceed the statutory limits of £1-£50 respectively and that prizes are totally non-monetary.
Suppliers/operators will be aware that other requirements such as Gamcare information (or equivalent) must also be met.
Previous pageShould the industry attempt to exploit the situation in a manner deemed undesirable or outside the spirit of that intended then we may review our position in this matter.
Classification of crane machines Next page
Limited prize machines
Last updated: 18 May 2021
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