Gaming machines, often known as fruit machines, provide games of chance where prizes are paid in money or goods. They are regulated under the Gambling Act 2005.
Most businesses that offer gaming machines need both:
- an operating licence from the Gambling Commission, and
- a premises licence or permit from Trafford Council.
Trafford Council assesses applications in line with its Statement of Gambling Principles, which sets out how the licensing objectives are applied locally.
Categories of gaming machines
Gaming machines are classed by how much players can stake and how much they can win.
| Category | Maximum stake | Maximum prize |
|---|---|---|
| A | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| B1 | £2 | £4,000 |
| B2 | £100 (in multiples of £10) | £500 |
| B3A | £1 | £500 |
| B3 | £2 | £500 |
| B4 | £1 | £250 |
| C | 50p | £35 |
| D | 10p or 30p | £5 or £8 |
For full definitions of each machine category, visit the Gambling Commission website.
Age restrictions
You must be aged 18 or over to play category A, B or C machines, including B3A machines that offer lottery games. There is no minimum age for category D machines.
Premises licence and permit holders must comply with the Gambling Commission’s codes of practice on:
- keeping category B and C machines separate from those accessible to children
- locating and supervising gaming machines
Maximum number of machines allowed
The number and type of machines you can have depends on your premises type.
Regional casinos
- Must have at least 40 gaming tables to qualify for category A machines.
- May have up to 25 machines per table (maximum 1,250 machines).
Large casinos
- Must have at least one gaming table.
- May have five machines per table (maximum 150 machines).
- Machines can be category B, C or D.
Small casinos
- Must have at least one gaming table.
- May have two machines per table (maximum 80 machines).
- Machines can be category B, C or D.
Bingo premises
- May have any number of category C and D machines.
- May also offer a number of category B machines up to 20% of the total, restricted to B3 or B4 types.
Betting premises (including tracks with pool betting licences)
- May have up to four machines of category B, C or D.
- Category B machines are restricted to B2, B3 and B4 types.
Adult gaming centres
- May have any number of category C and D machines.
- May also offer a number of category B machines up to 20% of the total, restricted to B3 or B4 types.
Family entertainment centres (with a Gambling Commission operating licence)
- May have any number of category C and D machines.
- Category C machines must be in a separate, supervised area for adults only.
Family entertainment centres (with a gaming machine permit)
- May have any number of category D machines.
- Permits are issued by Trafford Council.
- Fee: £300.
Apply for a Family Entertainment Centre Gaming Machine Permit
Clubs (with a club gaming or club machine permit)
- May have up to three machines of category B, C or D.
- Commercial clubs are restricted to B4 machines.
- Members’ clubs and miners’ welfare institutes may use B3A or B4 machines.
- Permits are issued by Trafford Council.
- Fee: £200, or £100 for existing permit holders.
Apply for a Club Gaming or Machine Permit
Pubs and other alcohol-licensed premises
- Automatically entitled to two machines of category C or D, if you notify Trafford Council and pay a £50 fee.
- To have more than two machines, you must apply for an Alcohol Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permit.
- Fee: £150, or £100 for existing operators.
Apply for an Alcohol Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permit
Where machines are not allowed
Gaming machines are not permitted in unlicensed premises such as takeaway food shops, taxi offices or any venue where children could play them unsupervised.
Data protection and fraud prevention
Trafford Council is under a duty to protect public funds.
Information provided in connection with gaming machine applications may be used for the prevention and detection of fraud and shared with other public bodies for these purposes.
For more information, see: