Facilitating betting in pubs and clubs
Facilitating betting in pubs and clubs is illegal
No commercial betting at all, regardless of the level of stakes, is allowed in pubs and clubs. It is not socially responsible and those who facilitate such betting in pubs and clubs – whether publicans, designated premises supervisors or club officials – are providing illegal facilities for gambling and are breaking the law.
Even where publicans, designated premises supervisors or club officials accept bets on behalf of licensed bookmakers, or just facilitate betting through their own telephone accounts, they are acting as betting intermediaries and could be prosecuted.
Licensed bookmakers who knowingly accept bets from pub customers through a single account are encouraging illegal gambling. They may be in breach of the Gambling Act 2005 and could risk losing their licence.
Licensed bookmakers with a remote or ancillary licence may accept telephone bets from a customer watching an event in a pub or club, as long as that customer has an individual account with them.
Agents cannot take bets
It is illegal for bookmakers or their agents to sit in the pub taking bets themselves. Similarly, it is also illegal for operators to put their agent in clubs, for example, in a working men’s club on a Saturday, to take bets.
Be vigilant
Licensed bookmakers should be vigilant. Where they suspect an individual telephone account is being used to transact business for a number of pub customers they should be alert to the possibility that it is being used to facilitate betting and where appropriate take steps to close the account.
Be responsible
Anyone betting and drinking alcohol at the same time may lose their inhibitions and place more than they can afford on a bet. It is the responsibility of all licensed bookmakers to ensure gambling is carried out in a socially responsible manner.
Individuals who engage in the facilitation of illegal betting risk up to 51 weeks imprisonment (six months in Scotland) and/or up to a £5,000 fine.
Customers can watch sport on the television and engage in betting activities as long as they place the bet using their own telephone account or take a betting slip to the bookmaker themselves.
It is not illegal to have betting slips or coupons in a pub or club, so long as when the customer completes the slip or coupon, they take it to the bookmaker themselves.
You may not take betting slips members of a club have completed or the stake money to the bookmakers before a sporting event. You will be acting as a betting intermediary and risk prosecution.
You may not phone all the bets though to the bookmaker as you will be acting as a betting intermediary by providing illegal facilities for gambling and risk prosecution.
You may not take bets in a working mens club, even if you are a licensed book maker. You can only take bets in your licensed premises or over the telephone if you have an ancillary remote or full remote licence.
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Last updated: 28 November 2024
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