The crown and Bell amusement token

[Figleaf]

No, I don't know in which watering hole this was used. Five shillings says pre 1971 and a hefty prize, all the more surprizing since I am used to bans on cash prizes earned at gambling machines. Or is this a covert casino token?

Peter

[malj1]

Very commonly seen yet they had only a short life span as Bell Fruit were established in 1963 and these were replaced with a 25p issue by 1971.

Used in public houses that used bell fruit machines.

[malj1]

Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Ltd Established 1963.

In 1963 fruit machines were appearing in the backrooms of many British pubs, the types of machines that were being operated in those early day?s were outright gambling machines, but to get around the British Gaming Laws most of them were being operated with cash in and tokens out.

The 1963 Betting and Gaming Act, allowed slot machines to pay out One Shilling in cash, and Five Shillings in prizes.

Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co, Ltd Now part of the Novamatic Group.

[Figleaf]

It all makes a lot of sense, Malcolm, except that the prize is still hefty, even if it's in goods. I was travelling around in Britain in those years (first trip without parents) and paid 10/- for bed and breakfast.

Peter

[malj1]

Here is a history of the company by Freddie Bailey who was there at the time! See page 8 on.

My page Bell-Fruit-Jackpot shows Bell Fruit tokens used in private clubs in the sixties and seventies with varying prizes up to five pounds.

[Figleaf]

I guess it is an illustration of my experience that if the law sets a maximum, it becomes a minimum (compare maximum speeds).

Peter

[jezuss]

here is a picture of the 25p token.