Betting Shop Licences

At what point will shops be refused betting licences given that the primary activity is no longer betting but machines? Yes it is a type of betting but is not what is intended with these licences. I have heard from numerous different individuals who work within shops that more than 60% of certain shops business is now machines. With that being the case is it not misleading to even call them bookmakers?

There is a clause that is follows;

Non-remote general betting licences, except where betting is offered under a 2005
Act casino premises licence

Gaming machines may be made available for use in licensed betting premises only at times when
there are also sufficient facilities for betting available.

Such facilities for betting must include the provision of information that enables the customer to
access details of the events on which bets can be made and to be able to place those bets, obtain
details of the outcome of the events, calculate the outcome of their bets and be paid or credited
with any winnings.

Where licensees provide facilities for betting only by means betting machines (machines which are
designed or adapted for the purpose of making or accepting bets on future real events) the
licensee must ensure that the number of betting machines is greater than the number of gaming
machines which are made available for use in reliance on the premises licence.

I cannot help but think it is therefore wrong if I was able to walk into a shop and I could be refused a bet but not refused the opportunity to bet on an FOBT...

All bookmakers should be forced to offer customers a bet upto the same amount they will allow on a machine (ie Roulette - £100).