Can I raise money for charity with a poker game or tournament?
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You do not need a licence, permit or any other
form of permission to run what is called non-commercial
equal chance gaming (for example, a
poker night organised to raise money for charity), as long as you
comply with the statutory
conditions, including any limits on participation fees, and
stakes
and prizes. The players must be told what good cause is to
benefit from the profits of the gaming. Under 16s are
not allowed to participate.
Stakes and prizes, and participation fees
Please be aware that for stakes and prizes,
the maximum values include both money and
money's worth.
No matter how many games you run or a
participant expects to play in, they must not make more than one
payment (whether as an admission or participation fee, stake or
other charge, or a combination of those charges), and this payment
must not exceed £8.
The total amount or value of prizes for all
the games played at your event must not exceed £600.
If you are running more than one event on the
same premises and on the same day, the £8 participation fee and
£600 total prize limit are collective totals applying to all games
played in all the events – these are not the fees and limits for
each separate game and event. If you are running a series of events
held on separate days, the limits of £8 and £600 apply separately
to each event.
In the final event of a series, where people
have qualified by playing at previous events, the total amount or
value of prizes for all the games played at the final event can be
up to £900. You cannot promote any other event on the same
premises on the same day as that on which the final event takes
place.
Proceeds and reasonable costs
The money you raise from the event is called
the proceeds. None of the proceeds should be used for private gain.
You should give all proceeds to the good cause (including any
entrance fees, sponsorship, fees for traders stalls and other
fees), minus the costs reasonably incurred by organising the
event. Reasonable costs would include costs incurred by
providing the prizes.
If third parties are selling goods or services
at your event, for example someone selling refreshments, this does
not count as money raised for the charity or good cause.
Further guidance
Advice on non-commercial and private gaming and betting - January
2010
Can I get a temporary use notice to run a poker
game or tournament?