Poker

Can we play poker in our local pub?

The Gambling Act 2005 allows equal chance gaming (including poker), but introduces strict conditions for any gaming, including limits on stakes and prizes, and provides licensing authorities with powers to take action against individual premises in a range of circumstances.

The regulations set a fixed limit of £5 per game on the amount that may be staked by a player in any type of equal chance gaming in pubs and other premises with a bar. There is also a limit on prizes of £100 per day.

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Can I set up a poker club or poker games in a private members club?

The Gambling Act 2005 allows equal chance gaming (including poker), but introduces strict conditions for any gaming, including limits on stakes and prizes, and provides licensing authorities with powers to take action against individual premises in a range of circumstances.

In a members club which holds a club gaming permit, there are no limits on the stakes and prizes provided that the club meets the requirements set out in the Act.

In a commercial club, or a members club with a club gaming machine permit, the regulations set a fixed limit of £10 per person per game on the amount that may be staked by a player in any type of equal chance gaming. There is also a limit on prizes of £250 per day and £1000 per week.

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Can we set up a poker tournament?

Poker tournaments can be run in clubs and pubs provided that the regulations and code of practice on equal chance gaming are adhered to.

Games in your own home, between friends, which are run on a non-commercial basis, are perfectly legal.

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Can I run a poker night for charity?

Organisations that wish to provide poker for charitable or other non-commercial purposes (e.g. to raise funds for a club or society) may do so under the prize gaming provisions in Part 14 (section 300) of the Act.

Non-commercial gaming of this kind may only take place at events where none of the proceeds from the event itself are used for private gain. For these purposes, the proceeds of an event constitute the sums raised by its organisers (including sums raised by way of participation fees, sponsorship, commission from traders, or otherwise) minus the costs reasonably incurred in organising the event.

However, sums raised by other persons will not form part of the proceeds of the event and so may be appropriated for private gain. An example would be refreshments provided at the event by an independent third party.

The players participating in non-commercial gaming must also be told what "good cause" is to benefit from the profits from the gaming.

There are no statutory limits on stakes, prizes, participation fees or other charges for this type of non-commercial gaming. No licence, permit or other form of permission is required to operate this kind of gaming provided that the statutory conditions are complied with.

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Can I run an online poker site?

If you are based in Great Britain and wish to run an online poker site after 1 September 2007 then you will require an operating licence from the Gambling Commission.

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Can we play poker at home?

Poker in residential premises is permitted, but those participating must be legitimate guests/friends of the occupant, i.e. members of the public cannot be invited to join in; nor can a charge be made for the gaming to take place.

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Why are there restrictions on poker?

Across the world `Games of chance for money or money's worth' are invariably subject to legal controls. This is to protect the players and games from unfair or criminal exploitation. Poker is an `escalating' game, and players may be drawn into risking larger and larger amounts without appreciating the odds of losing.

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How can I take action if a pub is running illegal poker?

Contact us.