Rules for Poker in License-Free UK Pubs are Released for Consultation

The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) released new proposals to control gaming in alcohol-licensed premises (pubs), so gaming licenses from local authorities will no longer be needed when the Gaming Act of 2005 comes into effect next September.

The proposed rules were published last week in a consultation document which is open for feedback until April 20, 2007.

Besides pubs, clubs of all sorts will also be able to host poker events in what amounts to the most radical overhaul of 40 year old drinking and gambling rules. The clubs include, for example: sporting clubs, working men's clubs, political parties, commercial clubs, miners' welfare institutes and branches of the Royal British Legion.

For the first time clear stake and prize limits on poker games have been set, and a number of conditions under which the games must be run have been laid out, as follows:

The pub industry had lobbied for these changes believing that poker games will bring more customers and increase overall pub business.

"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" said Richard Caborn, minister for sport.

Not everyone agrees with the liberalization of the gaming licensing laws.

Dr Emanuel Moran, adviser on pathological gambling to the Royal College of Psychiatrists warned, "There is a tremendous amount of evidence indicating that alcohol interferes with people's judgment. The combination of alcohol and gambling is liable to be disastrous."

Dr Moran, who helped set up Gamblers Anonymous, added, "The stakes may be low but people can easily accumulate tremendous debts and then chase their losses. There is not going to be a council official monitoring every game."

Caborn commented, "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."

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.

Controls on pub gambling could be too lax, warned Tory culture spokesman Hugo Swire. The already overworked local licensing authorities will be the only body policing the regulations, and that "There is no way landlords will be able to control the amounts staked and in practice these limits will be totally ignored," he said.

Caborn said "We are removing the need for a fresh application to be made every time a licensee wishes to allow a new type of game to be played. Permitting very low stakes gaming.. will also help to keep gambling in the open and above board, making it easier to enforce controls and reducing the risk of exploitation."

Several source noted the timing irony of the new rules release, as just last week Gutshot Poker Club owner Derek Kelly was convicted of violating the existing Gaming Act 1968. Click here to read PokerPages article about it.

The specific limits for poker reflect both its growing popularity in clubs and pubs, and the particular nature of the game. Without a series of limits on stakes and prizes, there is potential for stakes to escalate and for the pot to reach a significant size over the course of a game, leaving individuals open to losing large amounts of money.

It is proposed 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.

The Consultation on Gaming in Clubs and on Alcohol-licensed Premises is available from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) website at www.culture.gov.uk, or click here to download it.

Comments can be sent to: Dave Bawden, Gambling & National Lottery Licensing Division, Department for Culture Media & Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1 5DH Email: dave.bawden@culture.gsi.gov.uk

Questions or complaints about the process of consultation on the paper please contact Liz Sweet, Consultation Co-ordinator, Strategy Division, Department for Culture Media & Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH Email: liz.sweet@culture.gsi.gov.uk.

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