Gambling - Bingo
Bingo is deemed to be "equal chance gaming". This is defined as gaming where:
- (a) it does not involve playing or staking against a bank;
- (b) the chances are equally favourable to all players.
It is immaterial how the bank is described or whether the bank is controlled or administered by a player.
In order to provide bingo as a commercial venture, a Bingo Operating Licence is required from the Gambling Commission and a premises licence is required from the Licensing Authority. Conditions may be attached:
- (a) limiting amounts that may be staked;
- (b) limiting the amount that may be charged;
- (c) limiting the amount or value of a prize or class of prize;
- (d) requiring that at least a specified proportion of stakes be paid out by way of prizes;
- (e) imposing requirements that are specific to games of bingo played on more than one set of premises.
Bingo may be played in:
Commercial Bingo Clubs where there should be no statutory limits on:
- (a) stakes and prizes;
- (b) frequency of multiple bingo games.
The Gambling Commission should approve any new games.
Rollovers would be permitted.
Casinos This had not been permitted under previous legislation.
Clubs and Pubs
- No authorisation is needed under the Gambling Act 2005 unless the bingo offered is "high turnover bingo".
- High turnover bingo is defined as bingo where the total stakes and prizes in any 7 day period exceed £2,000.
- The "high turnover period" expires 12 months after the first day of the 7 day period that triggered the period to begin.
- Any subsequent high turnover period does not result in a new 12 month period beginning.
Gambling Act Menu
Contact the Licensing Section
Telephone: 01304 872295
E-mail: licensing@dover.gov.uk
Post:
Licensing Section
Dover District Council
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent CT16 3PJ
