Key Moments:
- UKGC finalized new technical standards for gaming machines on 30 September 2026
- Limit-setting and session data displays become mandatory for new category B machines starting 30 June 2027
- Existing machines are exempt from the new limit-setting and display rules
Overview of New Standards
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued definitive technical standards for gaming machines in Great Britain, with changes following a consultation started in January 2025. The final outcomes, announced on 30 September 2026, introduce fresh requirements for new category B gaming machines while leaving existing machines unaffected by these changes.
Details of Regulatory Requirements
Starting 30 June 2027, newly manufactured category B gaming machines must let players set play limits. When these self-imposed or default limits are reached, the machine will enforce a break in play and provide safer gambling information. Furthermore, these machines will display the elapsed time and net position – showing players exactly how long they have played and their win/loss amount during the session. Operators will also have access to this data, supporting their regulatory responsibilities and interactions with players who may be at risk.
The following requirements and timelines apply to various machine categories:
| Change | Machines covered | In force from |
|---|---|---|
| New definition of a gaming machine ‘session’ | Applies to the limit-setting and session display rules | 30 March 2027 |
| Limit-setting tools, with a break in play and safer gambling information when a limit is reached | New category A, B1, B2, B3, B3A, and B4 | 30 June 2027 |
| Display of elapsed time and net position | New category A, B1, B2, B3, B3A, and B4 | 30 June 2027 |
| No celebration of returns equal to or below the total stake | New category A, B1, B2, B3, B3A, B4, and C | 30 June 2027 |
| Ban on features that let players reduce the time until a result is known | New category A, B1, B2, B3, B3A, B4, and C | 30 June 2027 |
| Staff alerts must be acted on appropriately and in a timely manner | Licensees offering category B machines | 3 October 2028 |
Exceptions for Existing Machines
Current gaming machines are not subject to the new limit-setting and display requirements. The UKGC cited the financial impact, especially for small licensees and social clubs, noting that imposing these changes would not necessarily produce proportional benefits for consumers.
Refinements Following Public Consultation
The UKGC’s consultation process, which spanned from 29 January to 3 June 2025 and gathered 1,065 responses, led to several adjustments:
- Net position now serves as the primary monetary measure instead of deposited sums.
- Mandatory minimum pauses at the first and second default time limits have been reduced from 30 seconds to 10 and 20 seconds, respectively, and no longer require staff to be alerted at these stages.
- After a minimum 10-second break, players may hide their elapsed time and net position displays.
Implementation Timeline
The redefined session criteria take effect from 30 March 2027, while all other major changes come into force on 30 June 2027. Staff alert protocols will be enforced starting 3 October 2028. In his blog post, Graham Burgin, policy senior manager at the UKGC, referred to the staff alert deadline as “a hard stop” and encouraged operators to implement or continue using staff alert systems promptly.
Broader Regulatory Context
According to the UKGC, these technical standards fulfill commitments outlined in the government’s April 2023 Gambling Act Review White Paper. Additionally, an independent licensing requirement mandates that licensees must remove non-compliant gaming machines when directed by the UKGC. This provision has been enforced since 29 July 2026.
Industry Insight
Helen Rhodes, director of major policy projects and evaluation at the UKGC, said:
‘These measures will help both to empower consumers to understand and manage their gambling and ensure operators play their part.’
- Author
Daniel Williams
