Late on Monday evening the gaming machine industry was given some very welcome news. The BACTA suggestions for higher stakes and prizes, which was supported by all the other trade associations have been accepted. The Minister will recommend that the following proposals to Parliament and the European Commission:
Category C machines
Increase the stake limit to £1 and the prize limit to £70.
Category D
No change to money prize machines.
For Crane Grabs IN THE CASE OF NON-MONEY PRIZES ONLY maximum stake is £1 and maximum prize £50. No change to money prizes
Maximum stake of mixed cash/non-cash is unchanged but maximum prize for ‘penny falls’ or ‘coin pushers’ increasing to £15 (of which up to £8 can be cash).
Prize Gaming
In FECs/AGCs the maximum participation fee rises to £1 and maximum cash prize is £70.
The Minister said that although he does not think that the new stakes and prizes are consistent with the three licensing objectives, the impact of these proposals will be properly and carefully monitored. BACTA are pushing for an implementation of the new levels by the end of April 2009 and are working with DCMS to do this. We have also spoken to HM Treasury to encourage them to bring the AMLD rates into line with the new stakes and prizes.
This is a real breakthrough for the industry and we want to say ‘thank you’ for to every BACTA member who has supported our campaign. Without you writing in support of the consultation proposals and contacting your MPs this would not have been possible. BACTA offers special thanks to Nick Harding for all his work with journalists, to Andrew Ludlow and Tony Boulton who drew up the technical submissions on the playability of a £1 stake and £70 prize and also to Branddriver who provided us with valuable information on what stakes and prizes are attractive to customers.
BACTA will continue to campaign for improved conditions for the gaming machine industry. We are working on a Budget submission for HM Treasury that will call for improvements in capital allowances and a freeze/reduction in AMLD. We are pressing for more B3 machines in AGC and we are looking for reduced administrative burdens.
Congratulations to all who helped win this victory.
