Fruit Machine Categories Explained
Understanding fruit machine categories is important for anyone operating a pub, club, arcade or other premises where gaming machines are available.
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Fruit Machine Categories Explained
In Great Britain, gaming machines are divided into categories according to factors including their maximum permitted stake, maximum prize and where they can legally be made available.
The main categories are B1, B2, B3, B3A, B4, C and D. Category A also exists within the classification system but Category A machines are not currently permitted.
For pubs looking at fruit machine hire, Category C and Category D are particularly important.
What Is a Gaming Machine?
Under the Gambling Act 2005, a gaming machine is broadly a machine designed or adapted for individuals to gamble.
Many gaming machines are reel-based and are commonly referred to as fruit machines, slot machines or jackpot machines.
Modern gaming machines can also use digital screens and offer multiple games from the same cabinet.
Why Are Fruit Machines Divided Into Categories?
Machine categories establish important restrictions around how a gaming machine can operate.
The category can determine:
- Maximum stake
- Maximum prize
- Permitted premises
- Number of machines permitted
- Licensing or permit requirements
- Age restrictions
This means a machine suitable for a casino or adult gaming centre isn’t automatically suitable for a pub or family entertainment venue.
Category B Gaming Machines
Category B is divided into several classifications: B1, B2, B3, B3A and B4.
Different Category B machines have different maximum stakes, prizes and permitted locations.
For example, B1 machines are restricted to casinos, while B3A machines have specific rules relating to members’ clubs and miners’ welfare institutes.
Category B machines should therefore not be treated as one interchangeable group.
Category C Fruit Machines
Category C fruit machines are particularly important within the British pub market.
The current limits for Category C machines are:
Maximum stake: £1
Maximum prize: £100
Category C machines can be made available in several types of eligible premises, including pubs, licensed family entertainment centres, certain clubs, bingo premises, adult gaming centres, betting shops and casinos.
For many pub operators, Category C is the category most closely associated with the traditional cash-prize pub fruit machine.
Fruit Machine Categories FAQs
What category is a pub fruit machine?
Many cash-prize fruit machines traditionally associated with pubs are Category C machines.
What is the maximum jackpot on a Category C fruit machine?
The current maximum prize is £100.
What is the maximum stake on a Category C machine?
The current maximum stake is £1.
Are Category C and Category D the same?
No. They have different stake, prize and age requirements.
Can children play Category C fruit machines?
No. Category C gaming machines are restricted to people aged 18 and over.
Can children play Category D machines?
Category D is the gaming-machine category that can legally be played by under-18s, subject to the rules applying to the premises.
Can a pub have Category C machines?
Yes. Qualifying alcohol-licensed premises can provide Category C or D machines subject to the applicable notification or permit requirements.
How do I identify a gaming machine’s category?
The category should be clearly labelled on the machine cabinet or, where applicable, displayed on its screen.
Learn More About Fruit Machines
Understanding fruit machine categories makes it easier to choose suitable equipment for your premises.
For further information, explore our guides covering Category C Fruit Machines, Category D Machines, Fruit Machines for Pubs, Pub Fruit Machine Licensing and Fruit Machine Hire.
Category D Gaming Machines
Category D is different because it covers several types of low-stake gaming and amusement machine.
These can include:
- Low-stake fruit-machine-style games
- Penny falls and coin pushers
- Crane and grab machines
- Machines offering non-cash prizes
- Machines offering permitted combinations of cash and non-cash prizes
There isn’t one single Category D stake and prize limit.
The limits depend on the particular type of Category D machine.
Category C vs Category D
One of the easiest mistakes for new venue operators to make is assuming Category C and D machines are essentially the same.
They aren’t.
Category C machines currently allow a maximum £1 stake and £100 prize and are subject to age restrictions.
Category D generally covers much lower-stake machines with smaller cash or non-cash prizes.
Category D is also the only gaming-machine category that under-18s are permitted to play.
Which Categories Can Pubs Have?
Qualifying alcohol-licensed premises can make one or two Category C or D gaming machines available under the automatic entitlement provisions after notifying their licensing authority and paying the prescribed fee.
A pub wanting additional machines generally needs a licensed premises gaming machine permit.
Importantly, a permit specifying additional machines replaces the automatic entitlement rather than simply being added on top of it.
Which Fruit Machine Category Do I Need?
That depends primarily on your premises.
A pub, members’ club, family entertainment centre and adult gaming centre can have different machine entitlements.
Before hiring or purchasing equipment, establish:
- Your type of premises.
- The machine category.
- Number of machines required.
- Applicable licence, notification or permit.
- Age restrictions.
- Whether the machine complies with current technical requirements.
The category should also be identifiable on the machine itself.
Are Digital Fruit Machines Categorised Differently?
Not simply because they’re digital.
A modern screen-based gaming machine still needs to operate within the requirements applicable to its machine category.
The classification isn’t determined purely by whether a machine has physical reels or a digital display.
Why Machine Categories Matter When Hiring
If you’re considering fruit machine hire, category should be established before choosing a particular game or cabinet.
A visually attractive machine isn’t useful if it isn’t suitable for your type of premises.
An appropriate supplier should therefore understand what type of venue you operate and which machines can be supplied for that environment.
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