Key takeaways
- Family arcades: Category D.
- Adult gaming centres: B3, C and D.
- B3: £2 stake, £500 prize.
- B3 and B4 limited to 20% of machines.
In shortFamily arcades hold low-stake Category D machines. Adult gaming centres, for over-18s, can also offer Category C and B3 machines.
By venue
| Venue | Machines | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Family entertainment centre | Category D | Cash machines: 10p stake, £5 prize. Crane grabs: £1 stake, £50 in prizes |
| Adult gaming centre | B3, C, D | Up to £2 stake; £500 prize on B3 |
| Bingo hall | B3, C, D | As above |
Limits checked 6 October 2026; see UK machine categories.
B3 machines
These resemble online video slots more than pub fruit machines: five reels, free spins and a £500 top prize.
Elsewhere on the site: Ladbrokes Casino slot machines, The random number generator, Gem and diamond symbols and Free slot machines.
The 20% rule
In an adult gaming centre or bingo hall, Category B3 and B4 machines can make up no more than 20% of the machines on the premises. Category C and D machines are unlimited.
Seaside arcades
Penny falls, cranes and low-stake reel machines are all Category D, which is why children can play them. The adult section, behind a barrier or a door, holds the higher categories.
Tickets and prizes
Many Category D machines pay in tickets or prizes instead of cash. They are amusements with a gambling element, and the limits reflect that.
Keep reading: Sweet Bonanza slot machine, Wild symbols, Loose and tight slot machines and The history of online slots.
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 machines are in arcades?
Category D, and in adult centres C and B3.
What is the top prize?
Typically £500 on B3.
Can under-18s play?
Category D only.
Are they like online slots?
B3 machines are closest.