The Categories of Gaming Machine (Amendment) Regulations 2014

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Categories of Gaming Machine Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2158) (“the 2007 Regulations”) so as to increase the existing stake and prize limits for certain categories of gaming machine.

Regulation 3 of the 2007 Regulations defines a Category D gaming machine for the purposes of the Gambling Act 2005 (c. 19) (“the Act”). Regulation 2(2) of these Regulations amends the definition of a coin pusher or penny fall machine in regulation 3(4) of the 2007 Regulations so as to increase the maximum charge for use to 20 pence, the maximum prize value to £20, and the amount of the maximum prize value that may be a money prize to £10.

Regulation 4 of the 2007 Regulations defines a Category C gaming machine for the purposes of the Act. Regulation 2(3) of these Regulations amends that definition so as to increase the maximum prize value that may be won from such a machine to £100.

Regulation 5(2) of the 2007 Regulations defines a sub-Category B4 gaming machine for the purposes of the Act. Regulation 2(4) of these Regulations amends that definition so as to increase the maximum charge for use to £2 and the maximum prize value that may be won from such a machine to £400.

Regulation 5(3) of the 2007 Regulations defines a sub-Category B3A gaming machine for the purposes of the Act. Regulation 2(5) of these Regulations amends that definition so as to increase the maximum charge for use to £2.

Regulation 5(6) of the 2007 Regulations defines a sub-Category B1 gaming machine for the purposes of the Act. Regulation 2(6) of these Regulations amends that definition so as to increase the maximum charge for use to £5, and also increases the maximum prize value that may be won from such a machine. Where the prize value available through the use of such a machine is linked to the use of another sub-Category B1 gaming machine situated on the same premises, regulation 2(6) increases the maximum prize value that may be won from such a machine to £20,000; where such a machine is not so linked, the maximum prize value is increased to £10,000.

A full impact assessment as to the effect that these Regulations will have on the costs of business is available on the Government website (https://www.gov.uk/). This impact assessment is also published with the Explanatory Memorandum alongside the instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk.

The provision contained in regulation 2 was notified in draft (Notification No.2013/0557/UK on 10 October 2013) to the European Commission in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No L 204, 21.7.98, p.37) which, as amended by Directive 98/48/EC of the same institutions (OJ No L 217, 5.8.98, p.18), lays down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulation.