Applying for a gambling (fruit machine) license

[Cannyvending]

Any tips on what to do and how complex it is? I rang the gambling commission helpline and all they said was to seek legal advice before applying.

[popp665]

well this isnt much help but I looked into and it seemed very complex and expensive from my calculations to get just one machine "out" it was going to cost me around the 10k mark! Gets cheaper once you are set up, but I felt it wasnt worth the outlay for the return....

I would stick to swps or at least test the site first with one, a paragon quiz machine has a casino section which means you can site it as an swp and then if it performs well apply for a licence and turn on casino section or if you were feeling naughty turn the casion games on for a couple of weeks just to test how it peforms (not technically legal without licence)

or do what I now do and sell the site to a fruit machine operator (go for a small one not the likes of gamestec) worth at least £300 or ask them to let you site some towers etc i nsome of there existing sites.

I used to work for a large fruit machine operator and the market is very tough esepcially if not already established

[Cannyvending]

How did you come to the calculations for 10k to get one machine out. I calculated the license application was 1300 + 1000 for the first year then 1300 for every subsequent year.

Machine new is 2k but on ebay 575 second hand.

Not worth the fine switching on the games without a license.

[popp665]

Maybe I worked it out wrong but I'm sure u need a licence or some form of payment per site aswel and then u have to pay 20% of the takings to government, think I may have factored in the fact I would need another bigger van to,! Machines costs are quite low as you say but don't forget you have to change them regularly! Have you considered quiz machines? Agree with you about risking it licence wise that's why I refer sites now, the 10k fine was too bigger risk! Let me know how you get on as I'm still tempted myself..........

[Cannyvending]

Ive tried the parragons. Have a parragon 3 in storage. Tend to get a lot of overheating problems with them.

The 20 tax is machine games duty 20% of takings. I didn't think you need a license per site just one overall license. Will need to check.