Clause 10 - Amusement machines not operated by coins or tokens
Finance Bill
2:45 pm
Mr John Healey (Economic Secretary, HM Treasury; Wentworth, Labour)
The Government's White Paper ''A Safe Bet for Success'' proposed a relaxation of the current restrictions on the use of certain payment methods for playing machines. By the summer of this year it is expected that players will be able to play jackpot machines using smartcards and notes. Other machines will benefit from the changes early next year. The clause ensures that any dutiable amusement or gaming machine remains liable to that duty even when it accepts payment through methods other than coins or tokens. There is a possibility that machine operators may take advantage of the current legislative definitions of payment methods, such as coins or tokens, to argue that machines accepting payment other than in coins or tokens are not subject to duty. The clause ensures that that loophole is closed. It is an administrative change only. It does not place any burdens on business or consumers. I commend it to the Committee.