B2 machines – often referred to as fixed odds betting terminals - generated the lion’s share of gross gaming yield between October 2011 and September 2012, new figures from the Gambling Commission have revealed.
Across the UK’s various gambling sectors regulated by the Commission, gaming machines generated £2.27bn during the period, up from the £2.2bn recorded between April 2011 and March 2012.
Despite only a small increase in their number, GGY for B2 machines in betting shops stood at more than £1.5bn, representing an increase of 4.5 per cent, or £65m, on the previous period. This figure dwarfed that of Cat B1 (£129.33m), B3 (£186.90m) and Cat C (£165.39m).
During the period October 2011 to September 2012, the number of gaming machines in betting shops, which stood at an average of 33,519, accounted for 21 per cent of the total number of machines across all licensed gambling sectors. There was an average of 43,000 gaming machines in bingo clubs and 2,855 located in casinos.
The 50,323 gaming machines in adult gaming centres accounted for 32 per cent of the total number of machines across all gambling sectors. Gaming machine GGY in AGCs, which reached £260.84m, accounted for 12 per cent of the total.
There were also 29,155 gaming machines located in family entertainment centres, representing 18 per cent of the total number of gaming machines. The sector generated three per cent, or £69.98m, of total gaming machine GGY.
According to the Commission, as at September 30, 2012, there were 535 AGC licences and 192 FEC licences held by 587 operators.
