Open consultation

Category D gaming machines

Published 15 October 2025

Background

1. Family Entertainment Centres (FECs) are valued community assets where families can spend time together and have fun. They are recognised by the government as making an important contribution to tourism and employment in many towns, particularly near the coast.

2. The number of licensed FECs has been declining in recent years, from 220 in 2018 to 171 in 2024. Licensed FECs have seen their GGY decline from £53.6m in 2018 to 2019 to £38.7m in 2023 to 2024, representing an average annual decline of over 5%.

3. Licensed FECs require a licence from the Gambling Commission whereas unlicensed FECs require a permit which is issued by the local authority. Both types of venues are allowed to offer an unlimited number of Category D machines but licensed FECs can also make Category C machines available for use, as long as they are in a segregated part of the premises that is supervised to prevent children and young people accessing these machines. 

4. Category C machines can only be played by people aged 18 or older and have a maximum stake of £1 and a maximum prize of £100. By contrast, Category D machines do not have an age limit and therefore can be played by children and young people. Category D machines are currently split into five categories that govern the limits on stakes and prizes. These are:

a. Money-prize: maximum stake 10p, maximum prize £5 (money prize only)
b. Non-money prize: maximum stake 30p, maximum prize £8 (non-money prize only)
c. Crane grab machine: maximum stake £1, maximum prize £50 (non-money prize only)
d. Combined money and non-money prize: maximum stake 10p, maximum prize £8 (of which no more than £5 may be a money prize)
e. Coin pusher or penny falls machine: maximum stake 20p, maximum prize £20 (of which no more than £10 may be a money prize). 

5. The principal power to set the limits for stakes and prizes is provided for in section 236 of the Gambling Act 2005 and requires the Secretary of State to define the different categories of gaming machine, which can be done by reference to monetary limits on stakes and prizes applying to different types of machine. The Categories of Gaming Machine Regulations 2007 used these powers to set stake and prize limits on gaming machines. These Regulations defined limits for money-prize, non-money prize and combined money and non-money prize machines. The definitions of crane grab and coin pusher/penny fall machines were added by the Categories of Gaming Machine (Amendment) Regulations 2009.  Subsequent changes were also made to the stakes and prize limits for coin pusher/penny fall machines by the Categories of Gaming Machine (Amendment) Regulations 2014. The history of changes made to the stakes and prizes for Category D machines is set out in further detail in Annex A.

Rationale for change

6. In response to concerns from the British gambling industry that some of its sectors are continuing to struggle in the current economic climate, the government is keen to take stock of the effects of recent commercial pressures and explore ways in which sustainable growth might be supported in these sectors.

7. The government is clear that growth cannot be pursued at any cost. It is vitally important to uphold the licensing objectives set out in the Gambling Act 2005, which includes protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling. This objective is an important consideration in relation to Category D gaming machines, given that these machines can be played by, and are popular with, children. As noted by the Gambling Commission’s 2024 Young People and Gambling Report, 20% of 11 to 17 year olds spent their own money on arcade gaming machines such as penny pushers or claw grab machines in the previous 12 months. Our review of Category D gaming machine stake and prize limits seeks views on whether there is scope to stimulate the conditions for socially responsible growth in order to support a sector that has been a cornerstone of British holidays and tourism for generations.

8. The last changes in stakes and prizes for Category D machines were made in 2014 and only increased the limits for coin pushers/penny fall. The economic climate for FECs has since changed, particularly in light of closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent increases in inflation and energy costs. One lever that the government can pull to support these businesses is to increase the stakes and prizes limits on Category D machines. 

Machines in scope of this stakes and prizes review

9. Whilst Category D machines are generally considered to be lower-risk gambling products, the government understands that no gambling activity is risk-free. This stakes and prizes review will focus on machines that offer non-money prizes. While cash can be reinserted for further play, potentially facilitating behaviours like chasing losses, tickets cannot and have no value beyond what they can be redeemed for within a venue. Balancing the risks of potential harm that could be caused by increasing stakes and prizes for Category D machines with the intention to support the sector, the government will focus on those machines which offer non-money prizes and a combination of money and non-money prizes. 

10. In addition to the type of prize that a machine pays out, other characteristics of machines are important to consider. Slot-style (or reel-based) Category D machines, also known as slot machines and fruit machines, are offered in family entertainment centres and can legally be played by under-18s. These machines can pay out a small amount of cash or tickets which can be exchanged for a small prize. ‘Cash-out’ slot-style machines have a maximum stake of 10p and a maximum prize of £5, while ‘ticket-out’ slot-style machines have a maximum stake of 30p and an equivalent of a prize worth up to £8.

11. As set out in the previous government’s white paper, there are concerns that ‘cash-out’ slot-style machines share similarities with higher stakes machines, which are restricted to adults. The government intends to put an age limit of 18 on these types of machines, in line with the proposals set out in the previous government’s response to its consultation on measures related to the land-based sector. As they will be allowed to remain on the floor of arcades and not be required to move to an age restricted area, we will not be looking at amending the stakes and prizes for this type of machine. This will mitigate the risk of harm if someone under the age of 18 is able to play on one of these machines. In addition, the government will not look at increasing the stakes and prizes for any machines which only pay out cash. This consultation will seek additional views on the government’s intention to introduce the age limit, in line with the proposals set out by the previous government.

12. There are also a range of slot-style, or reel-based, machines that pay out in tickets. At the moment, these machines fall within the category of non-money prize machines, which can include a range of different offerings, including slot machines, multi-slot machines, and ‘entertainment-style’ games that contain an element of chance. While many of these machines do not resemble more traditional adult gambling products, slot-style machines do share similarities, such as appearance and gameplay, with higher stakes machines. Therefore, the government does not think it is appropriate to increase the stakes and prizes on ‘ticket-out’ ‘slot-style’ machines. However, other machines that fall within the non-money prize category, where the maximum stake is 30p and the maximum prize is £8, will be in scope of this review. The government is therefore consulting on separating out ‘ticket-out’ ‘slot-style’ machines from its current category, and we will not consider a stake or prize increase for this type of machine.

13. Crane grab machines, which are also only allowed to pay out a non-money prize, will be included in this review. The current limits of £1 maximum stake and £50 maximum prize were last changed in 2009. These types of machines are also unlike other gambling products that are available to adults to play. 

14. Category D machines that pay out a combination of money and non-money prizes, which are split into two categories under the legislation, will also be in scope of this review. Coin pushers and penny fall machines are a separate category to other machines that pay out a combination of prizes. While coin pushers have a maximum stake of 20p and maximum prize of £20 (of which no more than £10 may be a money prize), other machines are limited to a maximum stake of 10p and a maximum prize of £8 (of which no more than £5 may be a money prize).

Government position and options

15. The government would like to collect information and evidence as part of this consultation process to fully understand the impacts that any increases to stakes and prizes would have in terms of impacting revenue for operators, whether changes would encourage investment, and whether any risks - particularly to children and young people - could be posed by changing these limits. We have set out options for the different categories of machines to aid consultation responses and to indicate the government’s current position. 

16. The effectiveness of this review will depend on the quality of the evidence that we receive. We strongly encourage all stakeholders to provide data and evidence related to Category D machines, including but not limited to areas such as gross gambling yield by machine subcategory, current actual stake and prize levels by subcategory, player behaviour such as average stake and session length, impacts of stake and prize limits on machine attractiveness, revenue and investment, and risks of gambling-related harm.

17. Details of the proposed changes are outlined in the sections below. A high-level overview of the proposed changes to stakes and prizes is as follows:

Current Category of Machine	Current Stake Limit	Current Prize Limit	Proposed Change to Category	Proposed Stake Limit	Proposed Prize Limit
D (money prize)	10p	£5	N/A	10p	£5
D (non-money prize)	30p	£8 non-money prize	New ‘non-money prize, slot style’ category	30p	£8 non-money prize
			New ‘non-money prize, non-slot style’ category	30p / 40p / 50p	£8 / £15 / £20 non-money prize
D (crane-grab)	£1	£50 non-money prize	N/A	£1	£75 non-money prize
D (coin pusher / penny fall)	20p	£20 (no more than £10 money prize)	New ‘pusher / penny fall - money and/or non-money prize’ category (includes pusher machines previously in non-money prize category)	30p	£20 (no more than £12 money prize)
D (other combined money and non-money prize)	10p	£8 (no more than £5 money prize)	N/A	10p	£8 (no more than £5 money prize)

Crane grab machines

18. The category of crane grab machines was introduced in 2009 and the stake and prize limits set at that time - a maximum stake of £1 and a maximum non-money prize of £50 - have remained unchanged since. Crane grab machines play an important role in different gambling venues, and particularly seaside arcades. They are a staple of the family arcade environment, contributing to its unique appeal, and are an important source of revenue for operators. Costs for goods such as soft toys and technology such as headphones have increased significantly since 2009. According to the Bank of England, based on data from the Office for National Statistics, average prices of goods included in the Consumer Prices Index in the UK have risen by over 55% from 2009 to 2025. This has impacted arcades’ ability to offer attractive prizes to customers. The government is sympathetic to the arcade sector’s call for an increase to the prize limit to ensure that customers are still attracted to play on machines where larger or higher-value prizes are offered, recognising that attractive prizes are a key driver of engagement. The government believes that increasing the maximum prize to £75 would make it more feasible for operators to keep crane grabbers with high-value prizes as attractive offerings in venues, thereby encouraging continued investment in these machines. Based on the current evidence available to us and in line with proposals from the industry, we are not proposing to make changes to the stake limit for these types of machines. Our view is that the stake limit is set at an appropriate level, considering who can play the machine and that the prizes typically offered are attractive to children. We encourage feedback from all relevant stakeholders on these proposals.

Proposal

Crane grab machine maximum stakes to remain at £1 and prize limits to increase from £50 to £75

Non-money prize machines 

19. Non-money prize machines encompass a variety of games seen in seaside arcades. They include low-stake fruit machines which resemble traditional slot machines and pay out in tickets, as well as a wide variety of non-slot style machines. ‘Roll down’ machines, which see players insert and roll coins down a chute with the objective of landing them in a specific area to win a prize, fall into this category. Machines where a player pushes a button to stop a spinning wheel or dial and receives a prize based on the final position of the wheel or dial, where this involves a significant element of chance, would also fall into this category. The category also includes multi-slot machines, which feature a player panel with a multiple choice of coin entry slots allowing stakes to be placed on each of a number of game elements - for example, the machine might present a five horse race and have five slots each designated for betting on one of the horses. More generally, these machines include any machine that pays out in tickets which involves an element of chance. The industry has noted that some machines in this category, which have a physical and video game element but which also involve some element of chance, can be difficult to differentiate from skill with prize machines. Non-money prize machines have a maximum stake of 30p and a maximum prize of £8.

20. Skill with prize (SWP) machines are not classed as gaming machines, so there is no limit on the number of SWP machines that can be made available in a single location. Skill with prize machines includes a variety of games where the better one’s result, the more tickets one wins. Examples include basketball games, games where customers throw balls to knock down targets, and ‘skee-ball’ where the customers aim to roll a ball down a ramp into target holes. They also include digital amusement games where a player might, for example, move through a virtual world while defeating virtual characters and receive a ticket payout based on how far through the virtual world they get. Skill with prize machines have no legal stake or prize limits. A voluntary limit has previously been agreed between machine manufacturers and trade bodies, limiting the price of one game to £1 and the maximum prize to £50 (wholesale value).

21. The Gambling Act 2005 sets out when a machine is categorised as a gaming machine and when it is categorised as a Skill with Prize machine. The Gambling Commission provides information and guidance to licensing officers on this topic. The main difference is whether any of the games offered on the machine amount to ‘gaming’ as defined in section 6 of the Gambling Act 2005, the key point of differentiation from other machines being whether the machine contains an element of chance. In the Gambling Act 2005, ‘gaming’ means playing a game of chance for a prize. Any game that contains an element of chance (unless it is so slight that it can reasonably be disregarded) is a gaming machine. If just one game from a group of skill games is a game of chance, then the machine as a whole is classed as a gaming machine.

Non-money slot-style machines

22. As outlined above, this category of machine includes slot-style, or reel-based, machines with non-money prizes. These are low-stake fruit machines which pay out in tickets and which are accessible by children. Although they do not pay out in cash, these machines generally resemble in appearance and gameplay higher-category, higher-stake machines available to adults, which are associated with a greater risk of gambling harm than Category D machines. Other Category D machines are visibly different from, and function in a different manner to, traditional reels-based gaming machines. Our position is that it would be beneficial to create a clearer distinction between games that are unlike adult gambling products and those that are. Therefore, the government is proposing to split the non-money prize category in two. We intend for slot-style machines that offer only tickets or other non-money prizes to be placed into a separate category from other non-money prize machines. This review will not consider any increase in stake and prize limits for slot-style machines.

23. We envisage that the definition of non-money slot-style machines would encompass any non-money prize machine that includes a reel-based game, though we are open to considering other definitions as part of this consultation process. We are mindful that there may be nuances associated with physical machines that mean that adjustments to this definition might be necessary. To define a reel-based game, the government could draw on the definition that has been used for the introduction of a stake limit for online slots. A reel-based game in this context would refer to: games where moving or changing images or text are displayed by the use of reels, visual representations of reels or other means, and an individual may win a prize or other opportunity or advantage, as represented by the resulting arrangement of those images or text. We welcome feedback on this definition as part of the consultation process.

Proposal

Introduce a new category of machines - non-money ‘slot-style’ machines, maintaining the current stake and prize limits for non-money prize machines of 30p and £8; and
Set out that the definition of these gaming machines draws upon the definition of a reel-based game used to define online slots games, and define them as providing: games where moving or changing images or texts are displayed by the use of reels, visual representations of reels or other means, and an individual may win a prize or other opportunity or advantage, as represented by the resulting arrangement of those images or text.

Non-money non-slot style machines

24. There are a variety of non-money prize Category D machines that do not resemble fruit machines and are not reel-based. Examples of these machines include ‘roll down’, ‘spin the wheel’ and multi-slot machines, as outlined in greater detail at paragraph 18. Feedback from the arcade sector suggests that an increase to stakes and prizes for non-money prize machines could encourage investment in new types of Category D gaming machines that are unattractive to site due to the current stake and prize limits. Our view is that there is a case for giving family entertainment centres more flexibility over the stakes and prizes they can offer on these machines and to encourage a greater range of styles of machine and gameplay.

25. We are also mindful of several considerations related to a potential increase to stakes and prizes on these machines. As set out by the Gambling Act 2005 and the Gambling Commission’s guidance, non-money prize Category D gaming machine games involve an element of chance, and may be entirely based on chance. They may also include language, mechanics or themes associated with gambling, such as ‘jackpots’, spinning wheels or, as noted above, betting on the randomly determined outcome of a mechanical horse race. It is therefore important that we fully consider any potential risks that might be associated with making these machines more attractive to children and young people through increases in stakes and prizes. This is especially important given the wide variety of games that fall into this category. Additionally, for these reasons, and the distinction in principle between Category D and Skill with Prize machines, we do not think it would be appropriate to consider increasing stakes and prizes for the entire sub-category to a level similar to the voluntary limit agreed for Skills with Prize machines (£1 stake and £50 prize).

26. We appreciate the importance to the arcades of offering a variety of games to customers at stake and prize levels that are attractive to customers. The current restrictions on non-money prize machine stakes and prizes may be a barrier to operators of investing in or upgrading these machines. Moreover, the proposal to separate reel-based machines into a separate subcategory would mean that any increase in stake and prize here would only apply to machines that do not resemble higher-stake, adult-only slot machines. We are therefore open to considering an increase in stakes and prizes for these machines both to provide an inflationary adjustment and to help facilitate operators offering a wider variety of machines and styles of gameplay. We are therefore consulting on options for an increase up to a 50p stake and £20 prize limit.

27. We are clear that any increase must be balanced against the objective of protecting children and young people. We are mindful of the wide variety of machines in this category, as well as the potential for innovations in the market which could mean a blanket increase in stakes and prizes across this category would not be appropriate. To help us assess the strength of the case for an increase in stakes and prizes, we encourage stakeholders to provide data to demonstrate the commercial benefits of a stake and prize increase as well as evidence related to risks of gambling-related harm in children or vulnerable people and mitigations where these risks are present. We are consulting on the following options and welcome detailed feedback and evidence from all stakeholders:

Options

A. No change to stakes and prizes for non-money prize (other than crane grab) machines

B. Increase in stakes for non-money prize (other than crane grab) machines to 40p, and increase in maximum prize from £8 to £15

C. Increase in stakes for non-money prize (other than crane grab) machines to 50p, and increase in maximum prize from £8 to £20

Coin pushers and penny fall

28. Coin pusher machines are a stalwart of seaside arcades and provide entertainment to both adults and children. The current limits were last adjusted in 2014 and restrict these machines to offer a 20p maximum stake and a maximum prize of £20 (of which no more than £10 can be a money prize). The industry has called for an increase in stakes and prizes to help future-proof these machines by allowing up to 50p per stake and a £50 prize (of which no more than £20 can be a money prize).

29. The government understands the importance of these machines to seaside arcades. For traditional, combined money and non-money prize coin pushers, the coinage system primarily dictates the increase in stake and prize on these types of machines. Therefore, the next coinage increase would be 50p. However, anecdotal evidence from industry suggests that the vast majority of coin pushers still operate with 2p coins, with a relatively limited number of 20p machines in operation, and that 2p and 10p coins are better suited to the mechanics of pusher machines than 20p and 50p machines. Additionally, the speed of play for traditional coin pushers is generally only limited by how quickly the player can insert coins, and an increase to a 50p stake could result in significantly increased losses in a short space of time, as well as a rate of play greater than what is possible on age-restricted Category C machines, which have a stake limit of £1 per 1.5 second minimum play cycle. As children are able to play these machines, we are therefore unconvinced that there is a strong case for increasing the stake limit to 50p, which would represent an increase of 150%, at this time. Unless we receive compelling evidence that there is a significant need for such an increase, the government is minded not to increase the stakes for these machines to 50p. We are instead proposing to harmonise rules for pusher machines, resulting in an increase in the maximum stake from 20p to 30p.

30. We appreciate that inflation since the last adjustment to limits in 2014 means that maximum prizes for these machines are likely to have become less attractive to players. The Bank of England, using CPI data from the Office for National Statistics, estimates that average price increases from 2014 to 2025 to be over 35%. We recognise that the current £10 money prize limit prohibits operators from offering £10 notes as prizes, given that coins may also be won alongside a note, which would result in operators exceeding the £10 monetary prize limit by a small amount. Increasing this limit would allow operators to offer £10 notes as prizes. The government is therefore proposing an increase to the monetary prize that can be offered on pushers from £10 to £12, which we believe will help operators to increase the attractiveness of some coin pushers to players.

31. Under current regulations, coin pushers which pay out in tickets (sometimes referred to as ‘closed loop’ pushers) fall into the non-money prize machine category. Our engagement with industry suggests that innovations in the pusher machine market have seen a significant increase in the number of these machines, which closely resemble traditional coin pushers in terms of their mechanics but which pay out in tickets, and where the item that is ‘pushed’ is often a token or ball rather than a monetary coin. The current regulations mean that stakes and prizes for these machines, which closely resemble coin pushers, are different from traditional coin pushers and are set at 30p and £8, like other Category D non-money prize machines. The government believes that, given the similarities between the appearance and characteristics of these machines, there is a case for aligning their categorisation and their stakes and prizes. We also expect this change to lead to a clearer framework for operators.

32. For these purposes, we would propose that the definition of a pusher machine broadly follows the definition that characterises combined money and non-money (traditional) pushers today, as set out in the Categories of Gaming Machine Regulations 2007. We would therefore propose that the category of ‘pusher’ machines refer to machines where whether or not the person using the machine wins a prize is determined wholly or in part by either of the following:

a. the position in which a coin or token comes to rest after it has been inserted into the machine, together with the position of other coins or tokens which have previously been inserted into the machine to pay a charge for use, or

b. if the insertion of a single coin to pay the charge for use enables the person using the machine to release one or more tokens within the machine, the position in which such tokens come to rest after being released, together with the position of other tokens which have previously been so released.

33. Given that the maximum stake for non-money pushers is currently 30p as part of the ‘non-money prize’ category, we are proposing to set the maximum stake for the combined ‘pusher’ category at 30p. This means that functionally, the maximum stake of a coin pusher would remain at 20p, given the lack of a 30p coin, while ball or token-based pushers could retain a maximum stake of 30p (e.g. where £1.50 inserted lets the player release 5 tokens). We also propose to align the maximum non-monetary prize for both types of machine at £20, representing an increase in the maximum prize for ticket-out pushers to align them with the non-monetary prize value for traditional coin pushers. This is alongside an increase in the maximum monetary prize that can be offered on pushers that pay out with money and non-money prizes.

Proposal

Align the categorisation of pusher machines that pay out non-money prizes with pusher machines that pay out a combination of money and non-money prizes, to create a new ‘pushers’ sub-category of machines

Proposal

Maximum stakes for ‘pushers’ to be set at 30p, and maximum prize for ‘pushers’ to be set at £20 (of which no more than £12 can be a money prize for pushers that pay out money prizes). This would represent an increase in the maximum prize for non-money prize for coin pushers from £8 to £20. For money and non-money prize coin pushers, it would represent an increase in the monetary prize from £10 to £12, and no change to the maximum non-monetary prize.

Machine style	Current category	Current Stake Limit	Current Prize Limit	Proposed Category	Proposed Stake Limit	Proposed Prize Limit
Coin pusher - money and non-money prize	D (coin pusher / penny fall)	20p	£20 (no more than £10 money prize)	D ‘pusher / penny fall - money and/or non-money prize’	30p	£20 (no more than £12 money prize)
‘Pusher’ machine - non-money prize	D (coin pusher / penny fall)	30p	£8 non-money prize	D ‘pusher / penny fall - money and/or non-money prize’	30p	£20 (no more than £12 money prize)

Combined money and non-money prize machines (‘other’)

34. Machines that are able to pay out both money and non-money prizes, which are not coin pushers, appear to make up a small proportion of all Category D machines. Discussions held with industry prior to this consultation have not highlighted any particular issues with this category of machine and we have not received feedback that suggests an increase in stakes and prizes would be especially beneficial to the arcade sector. We are not minded to change the stake and prize limit from the maximum stake of 10p and maximum prize of £8 (of which no more than £5 may be a money prize).

35. However, the government is open to receiving evidence through this consultation that outlines a convincing case for any changes to the limits placed on these machines.

Introduction of an age limit of 18 on ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines

36. In line with the position set out in the previous government’s response to the consultation on measures relating to the land-based sector, we intend to make it an offence for a person to invite, cause or permit a child or young person to use ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style gaming machines. We believe a precautionary approach is justified for slot-style games which are similar to adult-only gaming machines which pay out in cash. This would bring the voluntary commitment of all Bacta members to prevent under-18s from playing on these machines into legislation. We welcome feedback on anything in this consultation or any other considerations that affect the views of stakeholders on the proposals set out in the consultation response in relation to these machines.

37. We also welcome further evidence on the proposal that these machines should be allowed to stay in unrestricted areas in licensed and unlicensed FECs, and other premises including but not limited to pubs and travelling fairs, to ensure that impacts on unlicensed FECs and other small businesses which do not have any age restricted areas are proportionate. We would also welcome further evidence and information on measures and best practice to ensure that children and young persons are not playing on these machines, including the proposal set out in the consultation response that the industry fund, conduct, and report on the outcomes of voluntary test purchasing for these machines.

Impacts

Impacts on operators

38. The government expects the proposed adjustments to Category D gaming machine stakes and prizes will yield several impacts for operators of FECs in particular, including enhancing the attractiveness of machines and encouraging investment, for example in new types of machines.

39. We note a number of limitations in relation to assessing the impact on operators of these proposals. While aggregate GGY for Category D machines as a whole from licensed family entertainment centres (FECs) is published by the Gambling Commission, aggregate GGY for Category D machines from unlicensed FECs, which can only offer Category D gaming machines and operate through a permit issued by licensing authorities, is not collected by the Gambling Commission. For both licensed and unlicensed FECs, data on the specific numbers of machines in each Category D sub-category, for example the number of crane grabbers, is not collected by the Gambling Commission. We therefore do not have a view of total GGY for each of these subcategories, and therefore estimating the impact on GGY of these proposals is challenging. There is also limited granular data available on player behaviour such as average stake, session length or precise win/loss per player, as such data is typically not automatically recorded. These limitations means that while we can infer trends and anticipate general impacts, precise, evidence-based modelling of how specific stake or prize changes will alter individual player habits is challenging. We will seek more granular data of this nature as part of this consultation. We anticipate that the quality of the evidence that we receive will have significant bearings on the decisions that we take.

40. We expect the proposed increase in the prize limit for crane grab machines to £75 would allow operators to account for inflationary pressures on prize acquisition costs since the last review in 2009, enabling them to offer more attractive prizes. Particularly for those crane grab machines which offer higher-value prizes such as technology, this is expected to make these machines more attractive to customers. We similarly expect the proposed increase in the maximum prize for pusher machines to £20 (with up to £12 as a money prize) to make these machines more attractive. We therefore expect the changes to result in a moderate uplift to GGY in the FEC sector.

41. We expect imposing an age limit on cash-out slot-style Category D machines to have a limited impact on GGY, especially with machines remaining where they can be played by adults who are accompanied by children. Bacta, which represents the amusement and gaming machine industry in the UK, have an existing voluntary commitment for their members to ban all under-18s from playing Category D ‘cash-out’ machines. Bacta’s members make up approximately 70-80% of the market for family entertainment centres and adult gaming centres. Anecdotal evidence from industry suggests that a low proportion of players of Category D ‘cash-out’ slot-style machines were under the age of 18, even before the voluntary ban.

Impacts on consumers

42. We expect the proposals in this consultation to have several impacts on consumers, largely aiming to enhance their entertainment experience while maintaining appropriate safeguards. We note the data limitations associated with Category D machines and welcome additional or new evidence to inform our decisions.

43. We expect that the proposed increase in prize limits for crane grab machines (to £75) and pusher machines (to £20, with up to £12 money prize), and a potential increase to stake and prize limits for non-money, non-slot style machines, to mean that prizes will be more attractive to consumers and to contribute to the player experience. Additionally, an increase in stakes and prizes for non-money, non-slot style machines could lead to greater investment in non-money prize machines and a wider variety of gameplay available to consumers.

44. We expect that the proposal to introduce a new category for non-money ‘slot-style’ machines would create a clearer distinction between different types of Category D non-money prize games with different characteristics.

45. As noted in the Gambling Commission’s 2023 advice to the Gambling Act Review, there has been little research about the long-term impacts of play on Category D machines, and it is therefore difficult to determine the level of risk associated with potential increases in stakes or prizes for Category D machines. We welcome information and evidence on these matters as part of responses to this consultation. For the majority of Category D machines, particularly those accessible to all ages, the proposed changes maintain relatively low stake and prize limits, and for machines that resemble adult-only gambling machines we are not proposing any changes to stakes and prizes. This will ensure that the entertainment minimises risks of gambling-related harm, consistent with the family-friendly nature of FECs.