Section 172: Gaming machines
447.Part 10 of the Act defines a gaming machine, and gives the Secretary of State power to make rules about their categorisation and use or manufacture and supply. This section contains the gaming machine entitlements which apply to the different types of premises licence issued under this Part. Licensing authorities may not vary these entitlements.
448.The entitlements are:
Adult gaming centres: up to four Category B machines and any number of Category C and D machines;
Licensed family entertainment centres: any number of machines of Category C or D;
Casinos:
Small casinos: 2 machines per gaming table used in the casino, up to a maximum of 80 machines. Machines may be of Category B,C or D;
Large casinos: 5 machines per gaming table used in the casino, up to a maximum of 150 machines. Machines may be of Category B, C or D;
Regional casinos: 25 machines per gaming table used in the casino, provided there are at least 40 tables, and up to a maximum of 1250 machines. Machines may be of Category A, B, C or D. If a regional casino has fewer than 40 tables, its entitlement is that of a large casino.
Bingo premises: up to 4 Category B gaming machines, and any number of machines of Category C and D;
Betting premises: up to 4 gaming machines of Category B, C or D;
Tracks: Where the track licensee is permitted to offer pool betting: up to 4 machines of Category B, C or D.
449.The Secretary of State may amend these entitlements in secondary legislation.
450.In relation to casino entitlements, the Secretary of State can make regulations defining “gaming table”, and, in particular may specify when a gaming table is to be treated as being used in a casino. These regulations could cover matters such as whether appropriate numbers of staff are trained to operate the tables, and the extent to which such staff (and therefore tables) are available for use.
451.These regulations can also specify when tables, which are linked together by electronic means for example, are to count as a single table for the purpose of machine entitlements under this section. This could be the case where one roulette wheel is operated by a croupier, but a number of associated banks of terminals allow players to take part in the game. The regulations will determine whether the banks of terminals count as a table in their own right. Part 10 of the Act contains provisions on when such equipment counts as a gaming machine.
