Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981

26 Supplementary provisions as to gaming machine licence duty.U.K.

(1)The provisions of Part II of Schedule 4 to this Act (supplementary provisions as to [F1amusement machine licence duty]) shall have effect.

(2)In sections 21 to 25 above and in Schedule 4 to this Act—

  • coin” means coin lawfully current in the United Kingdom;

  • [F2United Kingdom” includes the territorial waters of the United Kingdom;

  • [F3video machine” has the meaning given by section 25(1B) above;

  • prize machine” has the meaning given by section 25(1C) above;]

  • small-prize machine” has the meaning given by section 22(2) above.]

  • [F4two-penny machine” means [F5an amusement machine] which can only be played by the insertion into the machine of a coin or coins of a denomination, or aggregate denomination, not exceeding 2p]

  • [F6five-penny machine” means [F5an amusement machine] which can only be played by the insertion into the machine of a coin or coins of a denomination, or aggregate denomination, not exceeding 5p; and]

  • [F7ten-penny machine” means an amusement machine which can only be played by the insertion into the machine of coins of a denomination, or aggregate denomination, not exceeding 10p;.]

  • [F8thirty-five-penny machine” means an amusement machine which can only be played by the insertion into the machine of coins of an aggregate denomination not exceeding 35p;]

  • premises” includes any place whatsoever and any means of transport.

[F9(2A)References in sections 21 to 25 above and in this section and Schedule 4 to this Act to a game, in relation to any machine, include references to a game in the nature of a quiz or puzzle and to a game which is played solely by way of a pastime or against the machine, as well as one played wholly or partly against one or more contemporaneous or previous players.]

(3)A machine is provided [F10for play]on any premises if it is made available on those premises in such a way that persons resorting to them can play it; and [F11subject to subsection (3A) below] where on any premises one or more [F12amusement machines] are so made available, any such machine anywhere on the premises shall be treated as provided [F10for play] on those premises, notwithstanding that it is not so made available or is not in a state in which it can be played.

[F13(3A)The Commissioners may by regulations make provision for the purpose of enabling spare [F12amusement machines] to be kept on premises for use in the case of the breakdown of other [F12amusement machines] on those premises: and such regulations may provide that, in such circumstances and subject to such conditions as may be specified in the regulations, [F5an amusement machine] on any premises which is not made available as mentioned in subsection (3) above, or is not in a state in which it can be played, shall not be treated by virtue of that subsection as provided [F10for play] on those premises.]

[F14(4) Where the game playable by means of [F5an amusement machine] can be played more than once for the insertion of a coin or coins of a denomination, or aggregate denomination, exceeding any sum in pence mentioned in F15. . . subsection (2) above, the machine is to be treated for the purposes of [F16that provision] as if it can only be played by the insertion into it of a coin of a denomination not exceeding that sum if, in effect, the amount payable to play the game once does not exceed that sum or, where the machine provides differing numbers of games in differing circumstances, cannot exceed that sum.]

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 26(1) substituted (1.5.1995) by 1995 c. 4, s. 14, Sch. 3 para. 8(1)(a).

F2Entries substituted for entry relating to “Great Britain” by Finance Act 1985 (c. 54, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6

F3Definitions of “video machine” and “prize machine” inserted (1.5.1995) by 1995 c. 4, s. 14, Sch. 3 para. 8(2)(a).

F4Definition substituted for definition “penny machine” by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. V para. 14(1)

F5Words in s. 26 substituted for “a gaming machine” (1.5.1995) by 1995 c. 4, s. 14, Sch. 3 para. 8(1)(b).

F6Definition in s. 26(2) inserted (27.7.1993 with application in relation to licences for any period beginning on or after 1.11.1993) by 1993 c. 34, s. 16(7)(9)

F7S. 26(2): definition of “ten-penny machine” inserted (28.7.2000 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 2 para. 7(1) of the amending Act) by 2000 c. 17, s. 17, Sch. 2 para. 6

F8Definition of “thirty-five penny machine” inserted (1.5.1995) by 1995 c. 4, s. 14, Sch. 3 para. 8(2)(b).

F9S. 26(2A) inserted (1.5.1995) by 1995 c. 4, s. 14, Sch. 3 para. 8(3).

F10Words in s. 26 substituted (1.5.1995) by 1995 c. 4, s. 14, Sch. 3 para. 8(1)(c).

F12Words in s. 26 substituted for “gaming machines” (1.5.1995) by 1995 c. 4, s. 14, Sch. 3 para. 8(1)(b).

F15Words in s. 26(4) repealed (3.5.1994 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 3 para. 1(9) of amending act) by 1994 c. 9, ss. 6, 258, Sch. 3 para. 1(6)(a)(9), Sch. 26 Pt. II Note.

F16Words in s. 26(4) substituted (3.5.1994 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 3 para. 1(9) of amending act) by 1994 c. 9, s. 6, Sch. 3 para. 1(6)(b)(9).