Gambling terms, explained straight

Slots & Gaming Machines

Slot machine price

Slot machine price is the stake a player inserts or pays to start a single game on a slot machine, also called the charge for play.

Maximum for non-casino jackpot machines
50 pence2
Maximum for casino machines (prize ≤ £500)
£1002
Maximum for other casino jackpot machines
£22

Key points

  • The term refers to the stake inserted to start a game, not the purchase price of the machine itself.1
  • Under the Gaming Act 1968, the charge for play was originally limited to one shilling unless varied by order.1
  • Statutory maximum limits differ for casino and non-casino premises in Great Britain.2
  • In UK legislation, the charge for play is the coin or coins inserted to initiate a game on the machine.1

Where this term is used

Sources

  1. Gaming Act 1968 - Legislation.gov.uk legislation.gov.uk Defines the charge for play under the Gaming Act 1968.
  2. The Gaming Act 1968 (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order 2005 legislation.gov.uk Sets the maximum monetary limits for charge for play by machine type and venue.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.