Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many category B4 gaming machine permit holders have been investigated in each year since 2010 for breaching Gambling Commission licensing requirements relating to permitted locations.

As specified in the Gambling Act 2005, B4 gaming machines can only be located in casinos, betting shops, tracks with pool betting, bingo halls, Adult Gaming Centres, members’ clubs, miners’ welfare clubs or commercial clubs. Most B4 machines are located in clubs. The Gambling Commission and relevant Local Authority are responsible for issuing the necessary licences and permits. The Gambling Act 2005 also specifies the circumstances in which local authorities can revoke licences: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/19/schedule/13.

Local Authorities are responsible for compliance and enforcement measures of B4 machines located in clubs, which is financed from the income the licensing authority receives by way of premises and permit fees.

All forms of illegality in gambling are taken seriously as the inherent risk is that the protections afforded by legally sited and properly supervised machines are not present. The Gambling Commission will continue to work with and support licensing authorities in addressing such issues. Any evidence for illegally sited B4 gaming machines should be reported immediately to the relevant Local Authority.

Neither the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport nor the Gambling Commission hold figures on the number of investigations or revoked licences for B4 gaming machines.