Under the Gaming Act 1968, a permit is needed for premises that provide amusements with prizes by way of machines.

The type of machines that fall under the Council's control are the small payment "fruit" machines normally found in amusement arcades.

The maximum charge for playing a game is set at 30p and the maximum cash prize for "all cash" prize machines is £25. The all cash prize machines can only be played by people who are 18 years old and over. For other machines the maximum payout is £5 cash or £8 in tokens or gifts and there are no age restrictions on these types of machines.

A permit is granted for a period of 3 years. The fee is £250 for an all cash prize machine permit and £32 for a permit for the other types of machines Anyone with such a gaming machine should apply for a permit either by contacting Technical Services and appropriate information and/or forms will be provided or you can download the gaming machine permit form.