How many slot machines can a pub have?

How many slot machines can a pub have? Two, or more with a permit

The starting point is two. The Gambling Act 2005 gives the holder of an alcohol licence for drinking on the premises an automatic entitlement to make two gaming machines available, of Category C or D. The Commission's table of machine provisions by premises (opens in a new tab) describes it as one or two machines, meaning up to two.

A pub that wants three or more must apply to its council for a licensed premises gaming machine permit. The permit names the number and category of machines allowed, and it replaces the automatic entitlement rather than adding to it. There is no fixed national cap on permit numbers; the council decides. More questions about pubs and machines are on the questions hub.

Which machine combinations a pub can run

Under the automatic entitlement the pub does not have to say which categories it will use, and it can change the mix without notifying again, provided it stays at no more than two machines.

The stake and prize limits for each category are on our UK slot machine categories page, and what is a Category C machine? explains the pub fruit machine in detail.

How a pub uses its automatic entitlement

The two-machine entitlement is not an application that can be judged on its merits. The council checks only that the person notifying holds the alcohol licence and that the fee has been paid. Fees are prescribed by regulations, set separately for England and Wales and for Scotland.

1. The premises licence holder sends the council written notice of the intention to make gaming machines available.
2. The prescribed fee is paid at the same time.
3. The pub sites up to two Category C or D machines in line with the Gambling Commission's code of practice for gaming machines in clubs and alcohol-licensed premises.
4. Category C machines are kept for adults and supervised so under-18s cannot play.
5. If the premises licence is transferred or a new one is granted, the new holder notifies again; a change of manager alone does not require it.

Our pub gaming machine permits page covers the forms and fees in more depth, and the machine entitlements page compares the rules for every venue type.

The licensed premises gaming machine permit: how pubs get more than two

A licensed premises gaming machine permit is the route to three or more machines. It is applied for by the alcohol licence holder, and only for premises that do not already have a gambling premises licence. The council considers the application against the licensing objectives and the Commission's guidance, and can grant it, refuse it, or grant a different number or category than requested, after giving the applicant a chance to make representations.

The permit must be kept on the premises and shown to a police officer or licensing officer on request. A council can cancel it on specified grounds, including where the premises are used wholly or mainly by under-18s, where an offence has been committed, or for non-payment of the annual fee, after 21 days' notice and a hearing if asked for.

Why pubs are limited to so few machines

Pubs are not gambling venues in the way casinos, betting shops and arcades are, so the law gives them only a small, low-stake allowance. The aim is to keep machines as a side attraction rather than the purpose of the visit. A council can even remove the automatic entitlement if the premises come to be mainly used for gaming. In May 2024 the government confirmed it would not change existing stake and prize limits, and no change to pub machine numbers has been made. For the wider rules, see the Gambling Act 2005 and machines page.

How many slot machines other venues can have

Every type of gambling venue has its own machine entitlement, set out in section 172 of the Act and related rules. The Gambling Act 2005, section 172 (opens in a new tab) on legislation.gov.uk is the source for casinos, betting shops, arcades and bingo.

A 2:1 ratio of Category B to C and D machines for arcades and bingo halls was announced in May 2024 but is not in force; the 20% cap still applies. Our pages on members' club machines, betting shop machines and casino slot machines explain each venue.

What counts as a slot machine in a pub

Only gaming machines count towards the limit. A quiz machine or other game where the result genuinely depends on skill is not a gaming machine under the Act, so it is not part of the two-machine allowance, although whether a particular game qualifies depends on how it works. Pool tables, jukeboxes and video games without prizes are not gaming machines either. Read what is a SWP machine? and our skill with prizes machines page for the distinction.

Pub machine numbers in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scottish pubs share the same automatic entitlement and permit system, because the Gambling Act 2005 covers Great Britain, but procedures and fees come from Scottish regulations and appeals go to the sheriff. Northern Ireland has its own gambling law, so the Great Britain numbers do not apply there; our Northern Ireland machines page explains the separate system.

What the limit means for players

Whether a pub has one machine or four, each Category C game is capped at £1 a play and £100 a prize, and the machine keeps a share of stakes over time. More machines do not mean better odds. Read the label for the target payout, set a cash budget before you start and stop when it is spent. Our pub fruit machine guide explains the machines themselves, why some pubs have no machines covers the other side of the question, and the National Gambling Helpline, 0808 8020 133, is free and open 24 hours a day.

Online slots as an alternative to the pub machine

Online fruit-style slots sit outside the pub machine rules and have their own UK limits: £5 a spin for over-25s and £2 for 18 to 24s. Offers are 18+ and terms apply. Coral: bet £10 on slots for 100 free spins at 10p each on selected games, valid 7 days, no wagering on winnings. Ladbrokes: play £10 on slots for 50 free spins a day for 10 days, at 10p each, up to 500 in total and no wagering. PlayOJO: deposit £10 or more for 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p each, with cash winnings.

Search each casino's lobby for the games you want, as availability changes. The PlayOJO fruit machines online page explains what PlayOJO lists.

18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Decide a budget before you play: plan a slot budget. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.