UK Government Halts Slot Machine Rule Changes Amid Gambling Concerns

The UK government has decided to halt plans to relax the '80/20 rule' governing slot machine allocations in adult gaming centers (AGCs), citing concerns over the protection of vulnerable players. The rule restricts high-stakes Category B3 machines, which allow bets up to £2 and jackpots up to £500, to 20% of terminals, with the remaining 80% being lower-stakes machines. Industry representatives have argued that the rule hampers business growth by forcing venues to dedicate space to less popular machines, but recent incidents—such as a substantial fine levied against operator Merkur for allegedly exploiting a vulnerable customer—have intensified calls for stricter regulation. The decision marks a reversal from earlier government indications that reforms, including a possible 50/50 ratio or scrapping the rule, were under consideration as part of a 2023 gambling white paper. While the government has not ruled out future changes, officials emphasized the need to address safeguarding concerns before proceeding. The move has frustrated AGC operators but has been welcomed by campaigners and lawmakers focused on gambling-related harm.