The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has posted a special reminder addressing the fairground operators for the approaching Easter Holidays. The major regulator of the local gambling industry published a special advice for such operators, with Easter and the traditional start of the fairground season approaching.
The Commission is aimed at reminding fairground operators they are supposed to comply with existing legislation, including rules related to purchasing, operation and maintenance of gaming machines.
The Easter break is traditionally the time when fairground operators start their season, the British gambling regulator made sure operators are reminded to update their knowledge of the rules and regulations under which different types of gaming machines are bought, maintained and operated. The UK Gambling Commission also reminded that compliance checks are set to be carried out by the competent licensing authorities.
The British gambling regulatory body further suggested to operator to use its quick guide to the rules for fairgrounds, which has been uploaded on the Commission’s website and is available for all interested parties. In addition, the official website of the UKGC provides more detailed information about the stakes and prizes for the so-called category D machines.
This is not the first time when the UK Gambling Commission is addressing operators of gaming machines at travelling fairs. Last year, the gambling regulatory authority issued a warning at the eve of the Easter Holidays, as it was aimed at making sure that fairground operators are to offer such machines in compliance with the existing rules and regulations.
Types of Gaming Machines Allowed at Travelling Fairs
For the time being, all types of gaming machines offered to local customers are regulated by the Gambling Act of 2005.
The so-called low-stake fruit machines which are also categorised as category D machines are allowed to be made available by fairground operators at travelling fairs along with two other types of machines – coin pushers and crane grab machines. All of them are described as category D machines. Of course, fairground operators are required to get their machines from a supplier who operates under a license issued by the UK Gambling Commission. In addition, operators are obliged to make sure that all employees who work with category D gaming machines must be at least 18 yeas old.
The coin pushers are gaming machines that allow maximum overall prize value of £20, with a maximum stake of £0.20. However, the maximum cash prize that can be paid, amounts to £10. On the other hand, crane grab machines allow players to put a maximum stake of £1, offering them a maximum non-cash prize of £50.
For the time being, the existing gambling legislation does not allow fairground operators to offer higher stake gaming machines from category B and C to their customers. These machines are usually played in arcades and pubs.
- Author
Daniel Williams
