Gambling White Paper – Key Proposals: Land based gambling

What? How will it be implemented? Next step Current status
Increase in maximum machine allowance for casinos:

  • 1968 Act casinos which meet the 2005 Act Small casino requirements to be entitled to up to 80 machines
  • Machine to table ratio to be equalised at 5:1 for Large and Small 2005 and larger 1968 Act casinos
  • 1968 Act casinos which do not meet these Small 2005 casino size requirements to be permitted extra machines on a pro rata basis and subject to the same machine to table ratios
Primary and secondary legislation Link to DCMS consultation  

Consultation closed 4 Oct 2023 – awaiting Government response.

Reallocation of unused 2005 Act licences Consultation with local authorities with an interest in developing a casino in their area Government to write to local authorities with unused licences to allow reallocation where there is no intention to progress.
Sports betting to be permitted in all casinos (both 1968 Act and 2005 Act venues) Primary or secondary legislation (TBC) Link to DCMS consultation. Consultation closed on 4 Oct 2023. Awaiting Government response.

 

For more information please see here.

Potential introduction of cashless payments for gaming machines Secondary legislation and Gambling Commission powers (exact mechanism TBC) Link to DCMS consultation.  

Consultation closed on 4 Oct 2023. Awaiting Government response.

Introduction of credit for international visitors (subject to AML/CDD checks) Primary legislation and LCCP amendments Gambling Act 2005 to be amended when Parliamentary time allows. For more information please see here.
Licensing authority premises fee increase for land-based venues Primary and secondary legislation Link to DCMS consultation. Consultation closed on 4 Oct 2023. Awaiting Government response.
Amendment of 80/20 ratio for Category B and C/D gaming machines to 50/50 in bingo and arcade venues Secondary legislation Link to DCMS consultation. Consultation closed on 4 Oct 2023. Awaiting Government response.
Review of Horseracing Betting Levy Secondary legislation Stakeholder engagement, evidence gathering and analysis to take place in spring/summer 2023 This is due to be reviewed in 2024, and industry stakeholders have called for changes to the levy framework. For more info, see here.