The occupants partner became aggressive, and immediately shoved money into the machine and called for the manager. However, after playing a '50p minimum' machine for over two hours, and witnessing a '10p mininum' being occupied but unplayed - I asked if i may use the machine. Having previously being asked to vacate machine (for occupying whilst speaking to a friend) we understood the protocol of the casino. Given that they have a limited number of '10p minimum bet' roulette machines, it is understandable that you can only occupy a machine if you are actually playing (rather than keeping your partner company). We understood that we had been following the casino rules.
Wow! What an experience - in the negative term.