Question:
I run a local village pub and am interested in playing bingo in my premises to attract more customers in the week.
I recently visited another pub that had mid-week bingo sessions, I had a chat with the manager who said they have to operate within certain rules as a pub. What are these rules, how do I play bingo in my pub?
Answer:
Firstly, this is a great idea. Bingo is no longer confined to traditional bingo halls, and now sees great success in alcohol licensed venues up and down the country.
This renaissance of bingo attracts a diverse crowd and the local pub provides a great backdrop for friends, and strangers, to come together and have some fun over a game of bingo.
The pub manager you spoke to was likely referring to the Exempt Gaming provisions under the Gambling Act 2005, which sits separately to the Licensing Act that governs your alcohol premises licence.
The Exempt Gaming provisions under the Gambling Act facilitate low-level gambling in pubs and other alcohol licensed venues, subject to some important restrictions.
As a starting point, the bingo game must be adult only, so no under 18s are allowed to play. Games also cannot be linked to other pubs, whether that be other local pubs or if you are part of a wider pub group or chain.
There are also some strict financial limits which you will need to bear in mind. No participation fee can be charged to play the bingo game, and the maximum stake limit per person per game is £5.
You must not exceed the maximum of £2,000 in stakes and prizes in any 7-day period. The bingo must be non-commercial and no profit can be made, all stakes must go back as prizes.
The Gambling Commission, the body who regulate gambling in Great Britain, also publish guidance on equal chance gaming in alcohol licensed venues.
The full guidance can be read here and covers some additional areas you will need to consider, such as ensuring that the rules of the game are on display and rather interestingly, that a pleasant atmosphere is created.
If you would like to discuss this any further with one of our gambling solicitors please do get in touch, we would be more than happy to help.
- Elizabeth Varley is a solicitor at Poppleston Allen
