Gambling | Changes to land-based gambling sector
2024
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published its gambling white paper in April 2023, which set out the government’s plans for modernising the regulation of the gambling sector.
The white paper outlined a series of key proposals specifically relating to the land-based gambling sector. The DCMS then consulted on these measures between July and October last year.
After considering the responses to the consultation and the evidence submitted, the government announced (prior to calling the election) that it intended to implement the following measures:
- Relaxation on casino rules: allowing 1968 Act casinos to increase the number of their gaming machines to 80 if they meet the size requirements of a Small 2005 Act casino and allowing smaller 1968 Act casinos more than 20 machines, on a pro-rata basis commensurate to their size, and permitting betting in all casinos.
- Machines in arcades and bingo halls: allowing a 2:1 ratio of Category B to Category C and D gaming machines in arcades and bingo halls, implemented on a device type basis.
- Cashless payments on gaming machines: removing the prohibition on the direct use of debit cards on gaming machines, subject to the introduction of appropriate player protection measures.
- Introduction of a legal age limit of 18 for certain gaming machines: protecting children and young people by banning anyone under the age of 18 from playing low stake Category D slot-style machines that pay out cash.
- Licensing authority fees: increasing the maximum chargeable premises licensing fees by 15%.
The full consultation response can be found here.
The changes will require, several statutory instruments to be laid before Parliament expected later this year. Whether the national election will impact these proposals, we will have to wait and see.
Proposed changes linked to cashless payments will be subject to further consultation regarding appropriate player protection measures before these changes are implemented.