Under the Gambling Act 2005 it is illegal for gaming machines to be placed anywhere except for:
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pubs or clubs with a permit to allow machines
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betting shops
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bingo premises
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amusement arcades
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travelling fairs
Each type of premises is allowed different amounts and types of gaming machine. For example clubs may not have more than three machines.
A licence is required to sell, supply, adapt, maintain and install a gaming machine. Otherwise an offence is committed under the Gambling Act 2005.
It is not an offence for a pub owner to buy a gaming machine, but the purchaser should check that the supplier is licensed by the Gambling Commission.
It is an offence to maintain a gaming machine without the applicable operating licence.
Therefore, a pub that owns a gaming machine must either obtain the applicable operating licence or single machine permit from the Gambling Commission if they wish to maintain the machine(s) or alternatively, contract the maintenance out to a licensed operator