Gambling News : UK Slot Machines

From June this year all “category C” slot machines ( or “fruit machines” ) will be subject to new rules on the size of the stake, the size of the maximum prize, the number of times a jackpot can “repeat”, and the speed of the game play.

What does all of this mean for the UK slot machine player?  Essentially, the maximum stake will increase to £1 (approx 60 cents), and the maximum payout will increase to £70.  That’s double the previous stake and prize size.  The maximum number of times a jackpot feature can “repeat” is now as follows :

Max prize of £10 or less : no restriction.

Max prize of £15 : 6 repeats.

Max prize of £20 : 5 repeats.

Max prize of £25 : 4 repeats.

Max prize of £50 : 3 repeats.

Max prize of £70 : 2 repeats.

In order to “future proof” the proposals, a maximum repeat of 1 has been applied to wins of £100, and a maximum repeat of 0 has been applied to all wins over £100.  This suggests £100 jackpots will be on their way sooner rather than later.

The new rules on game speed mean that when the stake is 60p or less, each game cycle must take no less than 1.5 seconds to complete and the average duration of a game when spread over an hour’s play must be not less than 2.5 seconds.  When the stake is over 60p, those figures rise to no less than 1.5 seconds to complete with the average duration of a game when spread over an hour’s play not less than 3 seconds.  Alternatively, games can last a mimimum of 2.5 seconds on average.  In short, the commission is seeking to impose limits on “ultra-fast” slot machine games - these will still be available to hardcore “slot heads” who want to play fruit machines online.

Those fun-fair style “crane grabbing” and “coin pushing” games also get new minimum stake and prize levels - you can now win up to £50 on a crane grabber and up to £15 on a coin push game (though only a maximum cash prize of £8).  This will probably see the end of the 1p and 2p games!

Related links:

Gambling machines
Play fruit machines online

Tags: Gambling News, Gambling Rules, Slot Machines