Gambling in Pubs and Clubs
Equal Chance Gaming (eg Low-stake Poker), Race Nights or small Customer Lotteries are allowed in pubs and clubs. It is also possible to extend the scope of gambling activity and category of gaming machines by applying for certain permits. Pubs and Clubs entitlements differ, generally Clubs are entitled to greater number of gaming machines, with higher prizes and less restricted gaming in the form of Poker.
However, allowing your pub or club to be used for any other type of gaming is a crime and you can be prosecuted, even if you don't profit from it.
As one of the largest specialist gaming solicitors in the UK, we can help you avoid the traps and pitfalls associated with providing this type of entertainment for your customers or raising funds for your local charity.
Glossary
Club Gaming Permit
A permit issued by a licensing authority authorising the provision of facilities for gaming:
- on premises on which a members' club or a miners' welfare institute operates, and
- in the course of the activities of the club or institute.
Club Machine Permit
A permit issued by a licensing authority authorising up to three gaming machines, each of which must be of Category B, C or D, to be made available for use:
- on premises on which a members' club, a commercial club or a miners' welfare institute operates, and
- in the course of the activities of the club or institute.
The permit authorises:
- making up to three gaming machines available for use, each of which must be of Category B, C or D,
- the provision of facilities for gaming which satisfies the conditions in section 269 except for the first condition, and
- the provision of facilities for games of chance, of such class or description as may be prescribed, in accordance with the conditions specified in s. 271(4) of the Gambling Act 2005.
Customer Lotteries
Is a lottery which is:
- it is promoted by a person (“the promoter”) who occupies premises in Great Britain in the course of a business (“the business premises”),
- no ticket in the lottery is sold or supplied to a person except at a time when he is on the business premises as a customer of the promoter, and
- the other conditions of a customer lottery specified in Part 3 of Schedule 11 of the Gambling Act 2005 are satisfied
Equal Chance Gaming
Games that do not involve playing or staking against a bank and where the chances are equally favourable to all participants.
Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permit (LPGMP)
An Permit issued by the Local Authority permitting the holder of an alcohol licence (for consumption on the premises) to install 3 or more category C or D machines.
Licensed Premises Notification (LPN)
This is what you need if you only have 2 or less gaming machines on site
Low-stake Poker
In pubs Poker is permissible subject to prescribed limits on stakes and prizes. In respect of stakes no more than £5 per game and £100 per day by any player. The limit on prizes is £100 per day.
Race Nights
Are permitted for charitable purposes. A non-commercial race night is an event where participants stake money on the outcome of live, recorded or virtual races. The money raised from the event is called the proceeds.
Apart from reasonable costs, proceeds:
- must not be used for private gain
- must all be given to a good cause (including any entrance fees, sponsorship, the difference between stakes placed and payout made).