UKGC sets Category B machine session rules, staged to 2027–28

On 30 September 2026 the UK Gambling Commission published new Gaming Machine Technical Standards for Category B machines. From 30 June 2027, new Category B cabinets must give players improved access to gambling management tools and sessional information: how long they have been playing, and how much they have won or lost — their net position. That session data will also be available to licensees for harm-interaction duties. Existing gaming machines are exempt from the limit-setting and sessional-display standards, after consultation feedback on cost and practicality for smaller licensees and social clubs.

The package is the Commission's response to the January 2025 GMTS consultation and related White Paper machine commitments.

What else changes on new machines

The new standards also tighten responsible game design. Awards below the stake size must not be celebrated. Features that let a customer shorten the time until a result is known are prohibited. Trade coverage notes the same design framing for new Category A, B and C machines in the wider package; the Commission's own summary centres Category B for the sessional and management-tool duty.

Graham Burgin, Policy Senior Manager, says the Commission received over 1,000 consultation responses. Changes include a clearer session definition so breaks are not triggered before play starts, graduated break lengths, and the option for a player to hide elapsed-time and net-position displays after a short break.

Helen Rhodes, Director of Major Policy Projects and Evaluation, said the Commission is confident the package is proportionate and that the staged timeline is "reasonable and achievable."

When the stages land

Implementation is staged:

• 30 March 2027 — the gaming-machine session definition comes into force
• 30 June 2027 — the bulk of GMTS changes, including sessional information and management tools on new Category B machines
• 3 October 2028 — staff-alert amendments

These rules apply to land-based gaming machines in betting shops, casinos, clubs and similar venues — not to remote-casino products. Same calendar day as Ruth Evans taking office as Commission Chair and the gross deposit-limit RTS.

18+. If gambling stops being fun, see responsible play. Recent Commission enforcement on tip includes Manchester illegal-gambling raids.