Can I run a bingo without obtaining a licence?
From 1 September 2007, under the Gambling Act 2005, bingo can be played in pubs and clubs provided that total stakes or prizes do not exceed £2,000 in any 7 day period (e.g. 7 lots of £285). Clubs can also register for a club gaming permit to offer bingo However, a club would need to apply for a bingo operating licence and satisfy the application criteria if the stakes or prizes exceeded £2,000 in any 7 day period and they intend or expect to exceed this amount again. An organiser could provide bingo at a non-commercial event, such as a fundraising event. Section 297 of the Gambling Act defines non-commercial gaming and section 300 sets out the conditions for non-commercial equal chance gaming which must be complied with. An event is non-commercial if the arrangements for the event are such that no part of the proceeds are to be appropriated for private gain. The whole proceeds of the event, after deducting reasonable expenses, must be devoted to purposes other than private gain. The p
