Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing trials of the use of cashless payments for the land-based gambling sector.

Cashless payments via digital apps, ticket in ticket out systems and debit card payments at cash desks are currently permitted in the land-based gambling sector. It is also possible to pay for chips at a casino gaming table by turning away from the table and completing a debit card transaction with a staff member.

Secondary legislation (The Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) Regulations 2007) currently prohibits the use of debit cards for payment at machine games. However, the government is considering issues around payment mechanisms as part of its wide-ranging Review of the Gambling Act. We will publish a White Paper setting out our conclusions and next steps in the coming weeks.