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Our phonelines are open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10 am and 4 pm.

The contact us service is also available for answers to common questions and we will aim to respond to these enquiries as quickly as possible.

If you have a question about your gambling, or the gambling of someone close to you, our FAQs from gambling consumers during lockdown may provide valuable information. Our what we do page also provides an overview of the types of queries we are able to help consumers with in the first instance.

The National Gambling Helpline is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through GamCare. It is there to support those suffering from gambling problems or those concerned about the affect gambling is having on people close to them. You can call them free on 0808 8020 133, or visit gamcare.org.uk.
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Poker toolkit

This toolkit provides you with guidance, templates for letters and case studies to give examples of how cases have been successfully brought to a conclusion.

Poker is a game of chance 

R v Kelly [2008]

In 2005 it was held in a landmark case that poker is gambling and not a game of skill. Court of Appeal upheld that view and specifically rejected any reliance on poker decisions from the United States. 

Poker leagues and the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005 

Linked gaming is not permissible. Games of poker are linked if players are competing in the same game of poker across more than one premises and the winner of the game gets a prize. Alternatively it is linked gaming if the amount of the prize is determined by the number of people playing in different games of poker in different premises. 

In pubs, the maximum stake is £5 per player per game of poker and the combined stakes may not exceed £100 per day. The maximum prize is £100 per game. 

No charge may be made for participation in a game of poker. This includes such things as a compulsory charge for a meal or a ‘voluntary’ contribution for playing. 

When organising an event which would breach the limits prescribed for pubs, such as a regional or national final, and this is held at a venue other than a licensed casino, care should be taken that the premises has the appropriate permits and permissions and conducts gaming in accordance with the regulations.

GLA: Part 29 Poker
GLA: Part 25 Clubs
GLA: Appendix H Poker games and prizes

Quick guides 

Template letters

Also see

Also see

Code of practice for equal chance gaming in clubs and premises with an alcohol licence

172 KB Download

Advice to licensing authorities on club gaming permits and club machine permits

112 KB Download

Advice on gaming in pubs and alcohol licensed premises

345 KB Download