Pub gaming machine permit rules

Pub gaming machine permits: the two routes to a fruit machine

There are two legal routes for gaming machines in a pub, and many people searching for a pub gaming machine permit only need the first. The automatic entitlement lets the holder of an on-premises alcohol licence offer two machines of Category C or D on notification. The licensed premises gaming machine permit is a separate application to the council for any number above two, with the number and categories written on the permit.

The Gambling Commission's guidance to licensing authorities sets out both routes in Part 26. A summary of what each venue type may have is in the Commission's GLA Appendix A on machine provisions by premises (opens in a new tab). For the player's view of these machines, see pub slot machines.

The automatic two-machine entitlement for pubs

Section 282 of the Gambling Act 2005 gives the holder of an on-premises alcohol licence (or the relevant Scottish licence) an automatic right to make two gaming machines available, as long as both are Category C or D. The holder notifies the licensing authority of their intention and pays the fee set by regulations. Commission guidance is clear that this notification isn't an authorisation: the council has no discretion to refuse it and only checks that the person holds the alcohol licence and has paid.

• Mix of categories. Changing from, say, one C and one D to two Cs doesn't need a fresh notification, provided the total stays at two.
• Change of licence holder. A new notification is needed when the alcohol licence passes to someone else, by transfer or a new application. A new designated premises supervisor alone doesn't trigger one.
• No public notice. There's no legal requirement to display a notice of the entitlement.
• Ending. The entitlement ends if the person stops holding the alcohol licence for the premises.

For a quick answer on numbers, see how many slot machines a pub can have.

When a council can remove a pub's machine entitlement

Although the council can't refuse a notification, section 284 lets it remove the automatic entitlement for particular premises by order, on one of four grounds:

• offering the machines isn't reasonably consistent with the licensing objectives (preventing crime, fair and open gambling, and protecting children and vulnerable people);
• gaming has taken place in breach of a condition of section 282, for example machines placed or operated against the code of practice;
• the premises are mainly used for gaming;
• an offence under the Act has been committed on the premises.

The council must give at least 21 days' notice of its intention, consider representations and hold a hearing if the licensee asks for one. Without an appeal, the order takes effect 21 days after notice, and the licensee receives a copy with written reasons. Appeals go to the magistrates' court in England and Wales, or the sheriff in Scotland.

How a pub applies for a licensed premises gaming machine permit

A pub that wants three or more machines applies to the council for a licensed premises gaming machine permit. In England and Wales the procedure is in Schedule 13 of the 2005 Act; in Scotland it's the Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permits (Scotland) Regulations 2007.

1. Confirm the applicant holds the on-premises alcohol licence for the pub; nobody else can apply.
2. Check that no premises licence under the Gambling Act is in effect at the same premises, as that blocks an application.
3. Apply to the licensing authority for the area where the pub is wholly or partly situated, stating the premises and the number and category of machines sought.
4. Supply any extra information the council asks for in its own form, and pay the application fee.
5. Wait for the decision: the council considers the licensing objectives and the Commission's guidance, and may grant the permit as asked, grant it for a different number or category, or refuse.
6. If the council intends to refuse or change the number, it must say so and give a chance to make representations, orally, in writing or both.
7. Once granted, keep the permit on the premises and pay the annual fee.

The permit has to name the holder, the number and category of machines, the premises address and the date it takes effect. It replaces the automatic entitlement rather than adding to it, so a permit for four machines means four in total, not six. Fee amounts are prescribed by regulations and aren't given in the Commission's guidance; check your council's licensing page.

Keeping, changing and losing a pub gaming machine permit

The code of practice: supervision, cash machines and age checks

Whichever route a pub uses, its machines must follow the Commission's code of practice for gaming machines in clubs and premises with an alcohol licence. The location and operation parts are conditions of the permit; breaking them can cost the pub its machines.

• Supervision: machines must be placed so that staff, such as bar staff, or other means can supervise their use, and the pub must have supervision arrangements in place.
• Cash machines: machines must be sited so a customer has to stop gambling to use any ATM on the premises.
• Responsibility: in English and Welsh pubs, the designated premises supervisor is the person responsible for compliance.
• Age checks (good practice): anyone who appears underage and tries to use a Category C machine should be asked for ID, with acceptable forms including PASS-logo cards, photocard driving licences and passports. Repeated attempts should lead to warnings and reports to the Commission and police.
• Complaints (good practice): a written procedure for complaints and disputes about the machines, shared with customers on request.

Category C play is 18+ only. Category D has no statutory minimum age at present, though the industry has applied a voluntary 18+ rule on cash-paying, slot-style Category D machines since 2021. See our Category D age rules and how old you must be to play slot machines.

What a pub fruit machine costs to play: worked numbers

The permit system doesn't change what a game costs, but it's worth knowing the numbers before you put a coin in. Under the Commission's gaming machine categories table (opens in a new tab), a Category C machine has a £1 maximum stake and a £100 maximum prize, and it must display a target return to player percentage. The figures below assume a label of 80%, which we've picked purely to show the arithmetic; read your machine's label for its real figure.

Some fruit machines are 'compensated', meaning the game may adjust its payouts over a cycle to keep near its target; the machine should tell you if so. Our compensated fruit machines page explains how that works, and how much a fruit machine pays out looks at labels. Using an offered nudge or hold well can avoid missing a win the machine has already offered, but nothing beats the machine's built-in payout percentage.

What a pub gaming machine permit doesn't allow

• Category B machines: no pub can host them, permit or not.
• Higher stakes or prizes: Category C stays at £1 and £100; the permit changes numbers only.
• Pubs without an on-sales alcohol licence: the route is only for alcohol-licensed premises.
• Premises with a gambling premises licence: an application can't be made where one is in effect.
• Card payments: debit cards still can't be used directly on gaming machines; a planned change isn't in force. See debit cards on gaming machines.
• Quiz and skill machines with no element of chance, which aren't gaming machines.

Not every pub uses its entitlement; our page on why some pubs have no slot machines looks at the reasons.

Pub gaming machine permits: rules timeline

For how pub machines evolved before 2005, see the Gaming Act 1968 and fruit machines and our pub fruit machine guide.

Safer play on pub fruit machines

A fruit machine in a busy bar is easy to keep feeding. Decide on a spend before you start, keep winnings separate from your stake money and walk away when the budget's gone. If play is becoming a problem, the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 is free and open 24 hours a day, run by GamCare (opens in a new tab). Many areas run venue self-exclusion schemes; see help for slot players.

Pub machines and online slots: how our offers relate

Our partner offers are for online casinos, not pubs, and online slots follow different rules: no category caps on prizes, a £5 stake limit per spin for players aged 25 and over and £2 for those aged 18 to 24. Some online slots borrow the look of pub machines, but the maths and the rules aren't the same. Lobbies change, so search each casino for the titles you want.

New Coral Casino players aged 18+ who deposit and bet £10 or more on slots during the offer period (1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027) receive 100 free spins on selected games, each worth 10p, to be accepted within 48 hours and used within 7 days, with no wagering on the winnings. New Ladbrokes Casino customers aged 18+ who deposit and spend £10 on slots receive 50 free spins every day for 10 days, up to 500, worth 10p each; claim each day's spins by 23:59 and use them within 7 days, with no wagering. Deposits by PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafe or prepaid card don't count. Coral and Ladbrokes share an owner, LC International Limited, so check whether you can join both. 18+, terms apply.

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.