The UK government has halted plans to relax the rules surrounding high street slot machine shops.
Plans had been considered to allow the installation of higher-stakes machines at adult gaming centres (AGCs), however, as reported by The Guardian, the Department for Culture, Media and Sports has shelved the plans amid concerns over how these establishments treat vulnerable customers.
As it stands, under the “80/20 rule”, no more than 20% of machines at AGCs can be category class B slots that allow stakes of up to £2 and jackpots of up to £500. The remaining 80% must be class C or D, offering stakes of up to £1 and prizes of up to £100.
In May 2024, the Conservative-led DCMS had stated it was considering adjusting the ratio to 50/50 of abandoning the rule altogether, however, the current regime acknowledged “concerns about the strength of protections for vulnerable people in the adult gaming sector”.
Industry extends invite to gambling minister
Responding to the news, John Bollom, President of the arcades trade body Bacta, expressed his dismay at the decision, however, reassured members that the organisation will continue to campaign on the issue.
He said: “I have spoken with members about the disappointing news that machine ratio changes will not be introduced this year.
“I share the frustration felt by many, but members should be assured that Bacta is taking the fight to those in the anti-gambling lobby that spread misinformation, lies and snobbery about our industry.
Bollom also issued an invite to the Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross, to accompany him on a visit to an AGC and experience “the stellar work our AGC operators do to enshrine responsible gambling in venues”.
“Venue staff often build a relationship with regular customers, many of whom see AGCs as a vital part of their social life – a place to meet with friends and have fun, enjoying complimentary refreshments in a safe, clean environment,” he told the Minister.
Bacta has repeatedly campaigned for a resolution to the 80/20 issue, arguing that a relaxation of the rules, as set out in the Gambling White Paper, will help stimulate growth in the sector and “contribute to the government’s growth agenda”.
Governmental concerns
On the decision, Ian Duncan Smith, former Conservative Party Leader and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling-Related Harm, stated: “Given the insufficient protections in place for people in these venues and the addictive nature of these machines, increasing their numbers should be ruled out entirely and the current widespread breaches of regulations by AGCs, which are now proliferating on our high streets, must be urgently looked into.”
In February, Merkur Slots UK Limited was ordered to pay a £95,940 fine after a UK Gambling Commission investigation revealed social responsibility failings at one of its retail locations.
More recently, high-profile figures such as Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham joined a group of UK Councils in demanding urgent Gambling Review action over fears that local communities are being overwhelmed by “24-hour slot shops”.
A letter to DCMS Secretary Lisa Nandy called for “key reforms of the Gambling Act” to address community-level concerns about gambling harms.