January 2025 Consultation on proposed changes to the Gaming Machine Technical Standards, Gaming Machine Testing Strategy and Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice

One of the proposed changes in the consultation was to introduce a licence condition which would require the removal of non-compliant gaming machines from licensee premises upon receipt of a notification from the Commission.   

The condition would be applicable to all non-remote operating licences that can make gaming machines available for use.   

We requested views from respondents on their level of agreement or disagreement with the proposal, on the wording of the proposed licence condition and on the proposed implementation date of six months.  

Stakeholders, including consumers, gambling businesses (such as those that manufacture, supply or make gaming machines available for use), test houses and members of the public, were invited to share their views on the proposals and provide a response to the proposed changes.   

The consultation ran until 3 June 2025.   

Responses from stakeholders show that:  

• the majority supported the proposal to introduce a licence condition although some respondents sought further clarification on how the licence condition would be enforced.  

• the majority agreed with the wording of the proposed licence condition with some respondents requesting a definition for ‘specified gaming machine’, and guidance on what would constitute a ‘notification in writing’. One respondent also asked whether the licence condition could be extended to cover gaming machines and/or games.  

• the majority of respondents have a preferential option for a long implementation date. However, respondent comments on the implementation date were often general comments about implementation of the proposals overall, rather than specific to this proposal.   

We have reviewed the responses to this specific licence condition proposal in the consultation. Following consideration of the consultation feedback, we have decided to proceed with the introduction of a licence condition in line with the provision at section 86 of the Gambling Act 2005. The new licence condition will come into effect on 29 July 2026. 

The full response document can be found on the Gambling Commission website: January 2025 - Gaming Machine Consultation: Part 1 Response  

With regards to the remaining consultation proposals, we are continuing to analyse the large volume of responses to the consultation as well as the supplementary data, research and evidence reports which were submitted by the stakeholders.  We are aiming to publish our response in the summer.