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A gaming machine is defined by the Gambling Act 2005 as a machine that is designed or adapted for use by individuals to gamble.
Published: 24 June 2021
Last updated: 8 January 2024
This version was printed or saved on: 9 September 2024
Online version: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/licensees-and-businesses/guide/gaming-machine-categories
Overview: A gaming machine is defined by the Gambling Act 2005 (opens in new tab) as a machine that is designed or adapted for use by individuals to gamble - whether or not it can also be used for other purposes.
Most gaming machines are of the reel-based type. These are also known as fruit, slot, or jackpot machines.
Gaming machines fall into categories depending on the maximum stake and prize available.
The categories are:
Read more about the differences between SWPs and gaming machines.
Devices or systems which are not defined as gaming machines include:
Up to a maximum of 150
Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 5:1
B1 machines can only be made available in casinos. You must have either a non-remote 2005 Act casino operating licence or a non-remote 1968 Act casino operating licence to make them available.
See our gaming machine technical standards (categories A and B1) for the full details of the technical standards which this category of machine must comply with.
All gaming machines sited on casino premises must comply with our gaming machine technical standards.
Category B1, B2, B3 and B3A 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.
B1 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.
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.
Up to a maximum of 150
Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 5:1
Up to a maximum of 80
Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 2:1
Up to a maximum of 20
Any combination of categories B to D - or any number of C or D machines instead
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Up to a maximum of 20% of the total number of machines available for use on the premises
Up to a maximum of 4
Any combination of categories B to D
Up to a maximum of 150
Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 5:1
Up to a maximum of 80
Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 2:1
Up to a maximum of 20
Any combination of categories B to D - or any number of C or D machines instead
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.
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.
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.
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.
These products are gaming machines and not lottery products. However, the type of game is limited to ‘lottery style games’.
The game may appear to offer the player the illusion of some type of gamble or interaction as with other types of gaming machines, but the outcome of the game is predetermined by the virtual lottery ticket that the machine selects when the game starts.
Up to a maximum of 1
B3A machines can only be made available in:
Category B3A machines cannot be sited in commercial clubs. You must have a club machine permit from your local licensing authority 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.
See our gaming machine technical standards (category B3A) for the full details of the technical standards which this category of machine must comply with.
All gaming machines sited on club or miners welfare institute premises must comply with our gaming machine technical standards.
You must ensure these gambling products have been tested by a test house before they are released to the market. 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.
B3A machines must display the actual percentage return to player for each lottery class.
The value displayed must be verified either by the manufacturer or accredited test lab for categories B1, B2, B3 and B3A.
Tickets in the following types of lottery can be sold by means of a lottery ticket vending machine.
This includes tickets in a:
This type of machine usually dispenses a scratchcard or pull-tab lottery ticket. There must be no element of skill or game play required by the purchaser and the machine must not determine the outcome of the lottery or display the result within an interval of less than one hour if it is to avoid being classed as a gaming machine and subject to the requirements for gaming machines.
See our guidance on comparing lottery ticket dispensers and category B3A gaming machines (PDF) for detailed information about the differences between the two machines.
You do not usually need a licence to manufacture or supply a genuine lottery ticket vending machine to someone lawfully promoting a lottery.
Suppliers of lottery ticket vending machines must ensure that the services they offer do not constitute promoting a lottery - unless they have the necessary permission.
For more information see our advice on organising small lotteries (PDF) and promoting society and local authority lotteries. They contain details on where, and to whom, you can sell tickets for each kind of lottery and what permissions you'll need.
Up to a maximum of 3
Up to a maximum of 20% of the total number of machines available for use on the premises
Up to a maximum of 4
Any combination of categories B to D
Up to a maximum of 150
Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 5:1
Up to a maximum of 80
Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 2:1
Up to a maximum of 20
Any combination of categories B to D - or any number of C or D machines instead
B4 machines can only be made available in casino, betting shops, tracks with pool betting, bingo halls, adult gaming centres, members' clubs, miners’ welfare clubs or commercial clubs.
Members' clubs - for example, working men’s clubs, branches of the Royal British Legion and clubs with political ties - and Miners’ welfare institutes - as defined in the Licensing Act 2003 (opens in new tab) may site up to three machines from categories B3A, B4, C or D (only one can be B3A) with a club machine permit.
Commercial clubs may site up to three machines from categories B4, C or D (not B3A machines).
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.
You must have one of the following 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.
See our gaming machine technical standards (categories B3 and B4) for full details of the technical standards which this category of machine must comply with.
All gaming machines sited on casino premises must comply with our gaming machine technical standards.
Category B4, C, and D gaming machines can be tested via an independent test house or via the manufacturers own processes under strict controls. 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.
B4 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.
Pubs and other alcohol licensed premises are automatically entitled to two category C or D gaming machines upon notification to the local licensing authority of their intention to make gaming machines available for use.
Licensing authorities can issue gaming machine permits which allow additional category C and D gaming machines to be provided.
Where a gaming machine permit authorises the making available of a specified number of gaming machines in particular premises, this will effectively replace, and not be in addition to, any automatic entitlement to two machines.
Members' clubs - for example working men’s clubs, branches of the Royal British Legion and clubs with political ties - and Miners’ welfare institutes as defined in the Licensing Act 2003 (opens in new tab) may site up to three machines from categories B3A, B4, C or D (only one can be B3A) with a club machine permit.
Commercial clubs may site up to three machines from categories B4, C or D (not B3A machines).
Up to a maximum of 2
or, specified amount with a permit from the Local Authority
Up to a maximum of 3
No limit
Up to a maximum of 4
Any combination of categories B to D
Up to a maximum of 150
Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 5:1
Up to a maximum of 80
Any combination of categories B to D - subject to a machine to table ratio 2:1
Up to a maximum of 20
Any combination of categories B to D - or any number of C or D machines instead
Category C machines can only be made available in casino, betting shops, tracks with pool betting, bingo halls, adult gaming centres, members' clubs, miners’ welfare clubs, commercial clubs or pubs.
You must have one of the following 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.
See our gaming machine technical standards (category C) for the full details of the technical standards which this category of machine must comply with.
All gaming machines sited on licensed or permitted premises must comply with our gaming machine technical standards.
Category B4, C, and D gaming machines can be tested by an independent test house (sometimes referred to as test labs), or by the manufacturers' own processes under strict controls.
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.
Category C 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.
Generally, Category D machines are low-stake fruit machine style machines, coin pushers (sometimes called penny falls) or crane grabs.
View and download examples of crane-type machines.
Category D machines can be located in the following places:
However, their use in premises other than adult gaming centres, family entertainment centres, pubs and travelling fairs is unusual.
There are five different combinations of stake and prize for the various types of category D machine.
| Combinations | Stake | Maximum prize |
|---|---|---|
| D money prize | 10p | £5 |
| D non-money prize (other than crane grab machine) | 30p | £8 |
| D non-money prize (crane grab machine) | £1 | £50 |
| D combined money and non-money prize (other than coin pusher or penny falls machines) | 10p | £8 (of which no more than £5 may be a money prize) |
| D combined money and non-money prize (coin pusher or penny falls machine) | 20p | £20 (of which no more than £10 may be a money prize) |
Pubs and other alcohol licensed premises are automatically entitled to two category C or D gaming machines upon notification to the local licensing authority of their intention to make gaming machines available for use.
Licensing authorities can issue gaming machine permits which allow additional category C and D gaming machines to be provided.
Where a gaming machine permit authorises the making available of a specified number of gaming machines in particular premises, this will effectively replace, and not be in addition to, any automatic entitlement to two machines.
Members' clubs - for example, working men’s clubs, branches of the Royal British Legion and clubs with political ties - and Miners’ welfare institutes - as defined in the Licensing Act 2003 (opens in new tab) may site up to three machines from categories B3A, B4, C or D (only one can be B3A) with a club machine permit.
Commercial clubs may site up to three machines from categories B4, C or D (not B3A machines).
Travelling fairs may site any number of category D gaming machines.
Some category D gaming machines are designed or adapted to play bingo as a prize game. If you have prize gaming permit or a family entertainment centre permit you can make these machines available to play. The machines must comply with our Gaming machine permits code of practice
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.
See our gaming machine technical standards for full details of the technical standards which this category of machine must comply with:
All gaming machines must comply with our gaming machine technical standards.
Category B4, C, and D gaming machines can be tested via an independent test house (sometimes referred to as test labs), or by the manufacturers' own processes under strict controls.
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.
Category D machines must display the “theoretical target percentage return to player” unless they are crane grab or penny falls machines.
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.