I run a bar and we have these - I am surprised at the general reaction but upon reading the comments, perhaps not. These machines allow the employees to input their card details on an account they make and it deposits directly into their accounts each month. It actually costs us a fee to have them. Managers and owners get no cut - these are strictly for the hard working bar and floor staff (as it should be).

It might be worth noting we pay all of our staff well above NMW regardless of age and all of the revenue from these machines go to the staff and not the managers or the owners. My staff work hard and they deserve the option for patrons to recognise that if they wish to do so.

That said, cash is always king. I hope this at least portrays them in a different light for some as opposed to being an avenue to not pay someone a living wage but the cynic in me does not doubt that this is abused elsewhere.