Proposals written up on gaming in pubs

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has set out new proposals to control the provision of gaming in clubs and premises licensed to sell alcohol.

Under the proposals alcohol-licensed premises will no longer be required to seek permission from their local licensing authority for gaming to take place providing a set of conditions are complied with.

These include that children and young people must be prohibited from participation, and that gaming is limited to 'equal chance' games, such as cribbage or poker, between customers. Games like roulette and blackjack will be prohibited.

Stakes will be limited to a maximum of £5 in pubs and £10 in clubs for games of poker, while the operator must not take a 'cut' from money staked or won or charge participation fees.

Finally games played may only take place on one set of premises, with games across more than one property will be prohibited.

Richard Caborn, minister for sport, said: "These proposals set out a comprehensive set of rules governing gaming in pubs and clubs that will keep it fair, crime free and ensure children and the vulnerable are protected. ​

"In the most cases they bring existing entitlements under the auspices of the Gambling Act 2005, but in some cases we need to update the rules. Many people have enjoyed low stakes games like bingo, cribbage and dominoes in clubs and pubs for decades, and there is no evidence of an increase in problem gambling or crime as a result.

"But we now need clearer rules and limits on stakes and prizes to keep it that way so licensees will be in no doubt about what is and is not permitted. Those who abuse these provisions will face tough sanctions. While pubs have previously required permission from their local licensing authority for games like poker and bingo, cribbage and dominoes can be played without any kind of approval."

The DCMS said that daily and weekly limits on stakes and prizes for games of poker played in individual premises would be set at £100 and £500 respectively to ensure that poker in pubs remains a low-stakes low-scale activity.

Individual clubs would also be a set a maximum daily limit on the total amount of stakes or prizes of £200 and a weekly maximum of £1000.

Under the Gambling Act 2005 bingo will still be permitted in both clubs and alcohol-licensed premises, but for total stakes and prizes not exceeding £2000 in any seven-day period.

The proposals also state that clubs and licensees will be responsible for supervision of gaming on their premises. Licensing authorities may remove entitlements if, for example, an offence under the Gambling Act has been committed or if alcohol-licensed premises are being used mainly for gaming.

The DCMS proposes that codes of practice will be drawn up in consultation with the industry and regulators to help clubs and alcohol-licensees to comply with the new statutory requirements.