Gambling - Commission issue 'crane' machine reminder

Operators are being reminded by the Gambling Commission that crane grab machines must follow gambling rules and regulations. They are not automatically exempt from gambling control.

The reminder follows a series of cases in which crane grab non-complex category D gaming machines were discovered to be breaching regulations.  Over the last nine months a total of nine machines have been removed from five locations – they were not correctly marked as gaming machines and were not situated within a gambling premises.

These machines feature a mechanical arm, or similar device to select a prize, and employ a compensator unit to determine the percentage pay-out. They have a maximum stake of £1 and a maximum £50 non-monetary prize. 

As these are gaming machines a premises licence/permit from the local authority will be needed to site them, and depending on the type of premises, some operators who are currently unlicensed will need to apply for an operator’s licence from the Gambling Commission. 

For more information please see the Gambling Commission’s Non-complex cat D gaming machines guidance (updated July 2016).