
If no-one can win or lose ‘money or money’s worth’ then the game does not amount to ‘Gaming’ and can be played. It would therefore be just as illegal to play for prizes as for cash. This means that anything that has a value is classed the same as cash, even if it is not immediately available or does not come from the other players. Playing games of chance becomes ‘Gaming’ if they are played for ‘money or moneys worth’. Can we play poker if there are no cash prizes? Poker is an ‘escalating’ game, and players may be drawn into risking larger and larger amounts without appreciating the odds of losing. This is to protect the players and games from unfair or criminal exploitation. Why are there such restrictions on poker?Īcross the world ‘Games of chance for money or money’s worth’ are invariably subject to legal controls. The amount that should be allocated for expenses should not exceed the reasonable cost of providing the facilities for the gaming.


The maximum prize that can be awarded is £400. This fee must cover the expenses, the prize and the donation to charity. The maximum that can be charged in respect of all games played is £4. The whole of the proceeds after deduction of expenses including the prize must be donated to charity. Under Section 41 it is possible to run a poker night for charity. There is no limit on the stakes in these circumstances, but no levy can be charged on the stakes or ‘pot’. The only charge that can be made for playing poker in these circumstances is 60p per day or an additional £2 a day if the club is registered under part II of the Act. anyone who is not a member cannot simply turn up and ‘join’. There should be no access to the public, i.e. The Club must have at least 25 bona fide members and have bona fide membership arrangements and fees. This would imply that the club should exist for other purposes than solely for poker. Under Section 40 poker can be carried out as ‘one of the activities of a club’. Can I set up a poker club or poker games in a private members club? to be won, the points cannot be exchanged for a prize, as this would amount to money’s worth. If poker is played without money or prizes then it is not ‘gaming’. Only dominoes and cribbage may be played for money or money’s worth without a Section 6 permit being granted.

the gaming should not be an inducement to go to the premises and no charge may be made for playing or levy may be made on the stakes or the ‘pot’.

The Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) seeks to keep gaming in pubs ‘low stakes’ and ancillary to the premises main purpose – i.e. This permit will state the level of stakes and prizes that may be involved. If poker is played in a pub “for money or money’s worth” then it is unlawful gaming, unless the licensing authority has granted a Section 6 permit for the premises.
