Let pubs host poker

The British Beer & Pub Association is to seek a small-stakes exemption for pubs

The British Beer & Pub Asso-ciation (BBPA) is to ask Government to let pubs host small-stakes poker games.

The BBPA believes capping stakes at around £10 per gaming session will encourage small-scale gaming for entertainment, as an alternative to players risking big money in dedicated gambling venues.

The group will argue its case as the Department for Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) looks to consult on the details of the new Gambling Act, which goes live next September.

The Act allows exemptions for certain activities in pubs and clubs and the BBPA hopes small-stake poker can be included in this category.

BBPA director of pubs and leisure Martin Rawlings said: "Our view at the moment is that poker could be played for limited stakes. We may need some framework in which we can play poker in pubs without falling foul of the law. It's quite conceivable that we might have a voluntary code."

Rawlings stressed that licensees would not be able to charge people to play poker.

Hosting poker could be a lucrative move for pubs. The game's popularity has rocketed in recent years, fuelled by the rise of internet and TV poker.

It is set to get a further boost by the new James Bond film Casino Royale, in which the iconic spy risks millions of pounds playing poker.

Licensees welcomed the idea of being able to hold poker sessions.

Danny Scott, of Rick's Bar, in Greenwich, London, said the growth of internet and TV poker proves that the game is "extremely popular".

He said poker would be a good alternative to AWP machines, which are not attracting customers because pay-outs are far lower in pubs than betting shops.

Graham Rowson, of the Plungington Tavern, in Lancaster, said small-stake poker in pubs was a good idea but he questioned how it would be enforced.

One London host said he knows five pubs within two miles of his pub that currently hold illegal poker nights, which shows how popular the game is.

A DCMS spokeswoman confirmed that a consultation into stakes and prizes will take place, but she declined to comment on the details or give a time scale.

Plan for Swingeing increases in gaming machine fees

Pubs would face massive hikes in the cost of operating gaming machines under new Government plans.

A pub with three machines would see initial fees rocket from £32 to £200 when the Gambling Act goes live next September - and councils want even steeper fees.

The proposals are included in the consultation on gambling fees from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

It suggests fee levels for the new Licensed Premises Notification permits to replace Licensed Premises Gaming Machine permits, which cost £32 with a £32 annual renewal fee.

For pubs with one or two machines, the new permit would cost £50. Pubs with more than two machines would have to fork out £150, plus an extra £50 "annual maintenance" cost, which must be paid upfront.

Councils have already called for permits to operate more than two machines to increase to a £439.

Business in Sport &

Leisure chief executive

Brigid Simmonds said : "We want people to go back to DCMS and say that 'these

fees are far too high'."

The consultation ends on 22 December. Responses can be sent to Frances MacLeod, Gambling and National Lottery Licensing Division, DCMS, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1 5DH.

l The Gambling Act will be discussed at the BISL conference on 30 November in London. Call 0208 255 3782 for details.