UK slot machine categories
Land-based machines in Britain are sorted into categories by stake and prize.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Category C: pubs; £1 stake, £100 prize.
- B3: £2 stake, £500 prize.
- B1: casinos; £5 stake, £10,000 prize.
- A pub is entitled to two machines automatically.
In shortBritish gaming machines fall into categories. The pub fruit machine is Category C, with a £1 maximum stake and £100 maximum prize.
The categories
| Category | Maximum stake | Maximum prize | Found in |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | £5 | £10,000, or £20,000 for a linked progressive jackpot within one casino | Casinos |
| B2 | £2 | £500 | Betting shops |
| B3 | £2 | £500 | Adult gaming centres, bingo halls, betting shops, casinos |
| B4 | £2 | £400 | Members' clubs and the venues above |
| C | £1 | £100 | Pubs, arcades and the venues above |
| D, cash prize | 10p | £5 | Family arcades and anywhere above |
| D, non-cash prize | 30p | £8 | Family arcades |
| D, crane grab | £1 | £50 in prizes | Family arcades |
| D, coin pusher | 20p | £20, of which up to £10 in cash | Family arcades |
Stake and prize limits as published by the Gambling Commission and licensing authorities, checked 6 October 2026. Limits are set by regulation and can change.
How many machines a venue can have
| Venue | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Pub or other alcohol-licensed premises | Two Category C or D machines automatically; more with a permit |
| Betting shop | Up to four machines, categories B2 to D |
| Adult gaming centre or bingo hall | B3 and B4 machines up to 20% of the total; no limit on C or D |
| Members' club | Up to three machines |
| Casino | Up to 20, 80 or 150 depending on the type of licence, subject to machine-to-table ratios |
Summarised from Gambling Commission guidance and licensing authority statements, checked 6 October 2026.
Category B2
The fixed-odds betting terminal's maximum stake was cut from £100 to £2 in 2019.
Online
Online slots are not in these categories. Their limit is £5 a spin, or £2 for ages 18 to 24.
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Telling the category
Each machine carries a label showing its category, maximum stake and prize, and its percentage return.
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In other words
These are also called gaming machine categories, fruit machine categories or machine classes. FOBT, fixed-odds betting terminal, is the old name for Category B2.
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Slot figures are developers' published defaults, each confirmed against two sources; the version at your casino can differ. UK land-based stake and prize limits and online rule dates were checked against Gambling Commission and licensing authority sources on 6 October 2026. History follows commonly cited accounts. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
What category is a pub fruit machine?
Category C.
What is the top prize in a pub?
£100.
What is B1?
Casino machines: £5 stake, £10,000 prize.
Do categories apply online?
No.