UK Gambling Commission Sets Phased Rollout for Category B Machine Updates

The UK Gambling Commission published its response to the January 2025 consultation on Gaming Machine Technical Standards, Testing Strategy, and Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, establishing new requirements for category B gaming machines found in casinos, bingo halls, and adult gaming centres across the country.

Category B machines must now provide improved access to gambling management tools along with sessional information that displays play duration and net win or loss figures, according to the consultation response document released in September 2026. These measures apply to new machines and games, while existing equipment receives exemptions because of the costs associated with retrofitting.

Background to the January 2025 Consultation

The consultation process began in January 2025 and gathered input from operators, manufacturers, and other stakeholders on proposed adjustments to technical standards and licensing conditions. The Gambling Commission reviewed submissions before issuing its final position in the September 2026 update, which outlines how the changes will take effect over several years.

Category B machines represent a significant portion of gaming equipment in licensed venues, and the new rules focus on delivering clearer session data to players while maintaining compatibility with current hardware where possible. Research cited in the response shows that providing duration and financial summaries can support informed player decisions during play.

Key Requirements for New Category B Machines

New machines must integrate features that allow easier access to tools for managing gambling activity, including options to set limits and review session statistics in real time. Sessional information must appear clearly, showing how long a player has been active and the current net position in wins or losses.

These specifications apply to both machine hardware and the games loaded onto them, with manufacturers required to meet updated testing protocols outlined in the revised Testing Strategy. The commission's full consultation response details the precise technical criteria that new equipment must satisfy before entering the market.

Phased Implementation Timeline

Changes roll out in stages to give operators and suppliers time to adapt, beginning with a new session definition that takes effect in March 2027. Most of the remaining technical and display requirements become mandatory in June 2027, allowing new machines entering service after that date to comply from the point of installation.

Staff alert systems, which notify venue personnel when certain session thresholds are reached, follow a later schedule and must be operational by October 2028. This extended window acknowledges the additional development needed for integration with existing venue management systems while still delivering the core player information features earlier.

Exemptions for Existing Machines

Existing category B machines remain exempt from the full set of new display and tool requirements because the costs of hardware modifications would be substantial. The commission determined that applying the rules retrospectively would create disproportionate burdens on operators without delivering proportional benefits, given the age and configuration of current equipment.

Venues can therefore continue using older machines until they reach the end of their operational life, at which point replacements must meet the updated standards. This approach balances regulatory objectives with practical considerations for the industry.

Impact on Testing and Compliance

The updated Testing Strategy introduces additional verification steps for manufacturers seeking approval for new category B products. Independent test houses will check that session data displays accurately and that management tools function as specified before machines receive certification for use in Great Britain.

Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice have also been revised to reflect the new obligations, with operators required to ensure that staff understand how to support the tools and information features once they become active. The phased dates mean compliance teams can plan training and system checks around the March 2027, June 2027, and October 2028 milestones.

Conclusion

The September 2026 response from the UK Gambling Commission provides a clear roadmap for category B machine upgrades, with defined requirements, exemptions for legacy equipment, and a staggered timetable stretching into 2028. Operators and manufacturers now have the details needed to prepare for the March 2027 session definition, the broader June 2027 obligations, and the later staff alert provisions. The changes focus on delivering consistent player information across new machines while recognising the economic realities of existing installations.