Can customers play card games on a licensed premises?
- this is a question that Licensing Professionals are often asked. To help answer this, we have compiled this short guide.
Simply put, yes, you can play cards on a licensed premises in the UK, but there are specific rules and regulations that must be followed depending on the nature of the card game:
1. Social or Domestic Card Games:
Permitted: You can play cards in a social or non-commercial context, where the games are played among friends or patrons without any stake or profit involved.
No Gambling Involved: If the card game is purely for fun and does not involve any form of betting, it is generally permitted.
2. Gambling Regulations:
Low-Stakes Gambling: Certain low-stakes gambling games are allowed in licensed premises under the Gambling Act 2005. These include games like poker, but strict limits are placed on stakes and prizes.
Stakes and Prizes: For poker, the maximum stake per player is £5 per game, and the maximum amount that can be won in a single game is £100. The premises itself can take no more than £100 per day from the games.
Organized Gambling: If the card games are organized and involve higher stakes, the premises must have the appropriate gambling licenses.
3. Conditions on the Premises License:
License Conditions: Some premises may have specific conditions attached to their license that could restrict or prohibit card games, especially if they are linked to gambling.
House Rules: The owner or manager of the premises may also impose house rules regarding card games, even if they are legal under the Gambling Act.
4. Private Clubs:
Different Rules: Private members' clubs or premises with club premises certificates may have different rules regarding gambling and card games. These clubs often have more lenient rules about the stakes and nature of the games that can be played.
Summary: Card games on a licensed premises?
You can play cards on licensed premises, but if the game involves gambling, it must comply with the Gambling Act 2005, and the premises must adhere to any relevant license conditions. Always check with the premises license to ensure you are following any specific conditions.
Contact Licensing Professionals for any information in all things too do with the Licensing Act 2003.
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