65. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that large numbers of gaming machines which offer the chance of substantial cash winnings, such as fruit machines, are being imported into this country; how many prosecutions have taken place in the Metropolitan Police area; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerBetween 1st August and 21st November, 1960, there were 125 prosecutions in, the Metropolitan Police District which led to the destruction of gaming machines. Information given to me by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis suggests that some proprietors of cafés, restaurants and public houses have been persuaded to acquire machines of the type referred to in the Question for the use of their customers when the relevant part of the Betting and Gaming Act comes into force on 1st January. The Act does not permit the use of such machines in premises of this kind to which the public have access, and their use would render the proprietors liable to prosecution. The Act does allow the use of machines in premises to which the public do not have access (such as clubs) provided that certain conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are, first, that not more than two gaming machines may be installed in any one building or part of a building in separate occupation (as applied to clubs this means not more than two per club); secondly, that each go does not cost more than 6d; and thirdly, that the takings of a machine are used for purposes other than private gain. One consequence of the last condition is that any arrangement such as I have seen described in the Press by which a share of the takings goes to the commercial supplier of the machine would be unlawful.