UK association to ban under 18s from playing Category D cash fruit machines

Members of British amusement machine association Bacta will voluntarily raise the age limit for players to play Category D cash fruit machines found in seaside arcades and family entertainment centres to 18.

Bacta represents the owners and operators of seaside amusement arcades, over-18 amusement centres, and the companies that hire machines to pubs, clubs, bowling alleys, bingo halls and similar venues. It also represents the manufacturers and distributors of all types of amusement equipment. 

The new resolution by Bacta Division 1 members was raised at an extraordinary general meeting last week to change the Bacta Code to require members to prevent under 18s playing on these machines. Following this agreement, it will go to the online Annual General Meeting/Convention on November 26 to be ratified before coming into effect on March 1, 2021.

“Our members are all about providing fun and entertainment to the whole family as part of their annual holiday or day trip to the seaside," Bacta President James Miller said in a press release. "We take social responsibility extremely seriously and although Category D Cash Payout fruit machines operate at very low stake and prize limits which are predominately played by adults for fun and nostalgia, we wanted to do our utmost and limit any potential risks to gambling harm no matter how small, by following a precautionary approach and restrict all Under 18s from playing them in our venues. This approach will send a clear message of reassurance to all our customers that family seaside amusement arcades have and will continue to be safe environments for friends and families to have fun.”  

John White, Bacta CEO, commented: “Category D fruit machines have been long considered as part of the entertainment offer associated with seaside holidays and a trip to the arcade. Regulators in the past have therefore not imposed an age restriction on them. However, our members understand that perceptions change and we want to ensure that we do everything possible to protect players."

“I am incredibly proud that our members have taken this responsible decision at a time when their businesses are suffering due to the COVID pandemic and the subsequent loss of trade,” White concluded.