Bingo
Bingo is deemed to be 'equal chance gaming'. This is defined as gaming where:
- it does not involve playing or staking against a bank
- the chances are equally favourable to all players
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 Council as the Licensing Authority.
Bingo may be played in:
Commercial bingo clubs
Where there should be no statutory limits on:
- stakes and prizes
- frequency of multiple bingo games
Casinos
Not 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 exceeds £2000
- 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
Gaming machines in bingo premises
Where the operator holds a operating licence and a premises licence for the provision of bingo (commercial clubs and casinos) a maximum of 8 gaming machines of category B3 or B4 may be made available for use. An unlimited number of category C and D machines may be made available for use.
Visit the Gambling commission’s website to apply for a gambling licence.