Under the previous Conservative government, plans had been considered to allow the installation of higher-stakes machines at adult gaming centres (AGCs), however, these have been shelved by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) amid concerns over how these establishments treat vulnerable customers.
As it stands, under the “80/20 rule”, no more than 20% of machines at AGCs can be category class B slots that allow stakes of up to £2 and jackpots of up to £500. The remaining 80% must be class C or D, offering stakes of up to £1 and prizes of up to £100.
In May 2024, the Conservative-led DCMS had stated it was considering adjusting the ratio to 50/50 of abandoning the rule altogether.
DCMS concerns
As reported by The Guardian, DCMS officials confirmed that the government would “not be introducing changes to the 80/20 rule this year” as the department acknowledged “concerns..
