Clubs and Public Houses

HC Deb 20 December 1994 vol 251 c1087W

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the legislation which differentiates between private licensed clubs and public houses in respect of licences issued for the use of pool tables, juke boxes and one-armed bandits; and if he will list the licence fee applicable in each case, and the legal pay-out applicable for one-armed bandits in(a) registered private clubs and (b) public premises.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

[holding answer 19 December 1994]: The legislation which covers the licensing of gaming machines on any premises is the Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981. Gaming machine licence duty is to be replaced on 1 November 1995 with amusement machine licence duty, which will include machines which did not previously require a licence. These will include certain prize machines, video games and quiz machines.

The licence fee for non-prize machines will be £250 for a full year.

Pool tables and juke boxes do not require a licence under the current duty, and will not require one when amusement machine licence duty comes into force. The current licence fee payable on one-armed bandits gaming machines depends upon the cost to play the machine once and the amount of the prize that can be won. Gaming machines—small prize machines—where the payout cannot exceed £6 in money or money's worth and which cost 5p or less to play once do not require a licence. Gaming machines—small prize machines—where the payout cannot exceed £6 in money or money's work and which cost more than 5p to play once require a licence costing £535 for a full year. Gaming machines—jackpot machines—which pay out more than £6 in money or money's worth and which cost 5p to play once require a licence costing £535 for a full year. Gaming machines—jackpot machines—which pay out more than £6 in money or money's worth and which cost more than 5p to play once require a licence costing £1,375 for a full year. Customs and Excise is not responsible for the legislation on the siting of gaming machines. This is governed by the social law and is a matter for the Home Secretary.