Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Gaming machines

Offence of inviting, etc. person under 18 to play gaming machine

7.—(1) After Article 124 of the 1985 Order insert—

“Prohibition on inviting, etc. person under 18 to play gaming machine

124A⁠.— (1) Any person who invites, causes or permits an individual under the age of 18 to play a gaming machine, other than a lower limit gaming machine, is guilty of an offence.

(2) In any proceedings against a person for an offence under paragraph (1), it is a defence to prove that there was good reason to believe that the person under the age of 18 had attained that age.

(3) In paragraph (1) a “lower limit gaming machine” means a gaming machine—

(a) which is installed on premises in respect of which there is in force an amusement permit; and

(b) in respect of which the condition in Article 108(7) is observed.”.

(2) In Schedule 18 to the 1985 Order (Table of offences with mode of prosecution and punishments) after the entry relating to Article 124(4) insert the following entry—

“124A(1).

Inviting, etc. person under 18 to play gaming machine

Summary.

Level 5 or imprisonment for 6 months or both.”.

Gaming machines: charges and prize limits

8.—(1) Article 108 of the 1985 Order (use of gaming machines) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (7).

(2) In paragraph (6) for sub-paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) in respect of a gaming machine where the condition in paragraph (8)(a) applies, £0.30;

(c) in respect of a gaming machine where the condition in paragraph (8)(b) applies, £0.30;

(d) in respect of a gaming machine where the condition in paragraph (8)(c) applies, £0.30;

(e) in respect of a gaming machine where the condition in paragraph (8)(d) applies, £0.30.”.

(3) In paragraph (7) for the words from the beginning to “gaming machine” substitute “In respect of any one game played by means of a gaming machine installed on premises such as are mentioned in paragraph (1)(c) or (d)”.

(4) Omit paragraph (7A).

(5) For paragraph (8) substitute—

“(8) In respect of any one game played by means of a gaming machine installed on any other premises mentioned in paragraph (1), no player or person claiming under a player shall receive, or shall be entitled to receive, any article, benefit or advantage other than a money prize delivered by the machine of an amount not exceeding—

(a) in the case of a machine installed on bingo club premises, £25;

(b) in the case of a machine installed on licensed premises, £25;

(c) in the case of a machine installed on a licensed office, £25;

(d) in the case of a machine installed on premises in respect of which there is in force an amusement permit expressed to be granted for the purposes of paragraph (1)(ca), £25.”.

(6) Omit paragraph (8A).

(7) In paragraph (9)(a) for the words from “not exceeding” (where they first occur) to the end substitute “not exceeding—

“(i) in relation to a machine to which paragraph (7) applies, £8; or

(ii) in relation to a machine to which a sub-paragraph of paragraph (8) applies, the amount specified in that sub-paragraph, delivered by the machine; and”.

(8) In Articles 111(6A)(b)(i) and 115(7A)(b)(i) of the 1985 Order for “Article 108(8)” substitute “Article 108(8)(d)”.