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<p>Protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling
is a core objective of the regulation of gambling in Great Britain, and a priority
for the government. The Government has committed to review the Gambling Act 2005 and
will announce further details in due course.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Depending
on the category of machines they offer, Family Entertainment Centres (FECs) may require
either a licence from the Gambling Commission or a permit from the local authority.
FECs which are not licensed by the Commission may offer only category D machines and
fall under the control of the local authority. Category D machines include crane grabs
and penny falls; slot machines with a money prize are permitted a maximum stake of
10p and maximum prize of £5.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In considering applications
for FEC permits, the local authority must have regard to the licensing objectives
in the Gambling Act 2005, which include preventing children from being harmed and
exploited by gambling. The machine supplier must also be licensed by the Gambling
Commission.</p><p>Voluntary action is being taken by the sector to improve safer gambling
standards in all FECs and the government will continue to challenge operators to build
on this. For example, in November the arcades trade association BACTA announced a
new rule in its Code of Conduct preventing young people under the age of 16 playing
on category D slot machines with a money prize unless accompanied by an adult.</p><p>The
evidence suggests that the number of children and young people participating in gambling
is reducing. The Gambling Commission’s annual survey of young people in 2019 found
that 11% had spent their own money on a gambling activity in the 7 days prior to taking
part in the study, compared to 14% in 2018 and 23% in 2011.</p><p> </p>
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