The thicket that is gambling law

One area where there is still a lot of difficulty is gambling. The relaxation in the rules on poker in pubs is only one aspect of gambling law that can throw up a range of problems. Also, there has been a long association between pubs and betting — it is no coincidence that in the days when new pubs were opening, a betting shop would miraculously appear a few months later round the corner!

In spite of efforts by the Gambling Commission to produce information literature, it still seems that the legislation on betting and gaming is at times difficult to interpret. What seem to be harmless pastimes, such as prize draws and dice games in boxes, have fallen foul of local rulings recently when licensing officers have taken a tough line.

I think there is a genuine fear about money games and a feeling that Wild West illicit gambling dens in the back of pubs are just around the corner!

In fact, serious illegal gaming is not usually found in pubs. Other cultures with a history of gaming behind closed doors have come to the UK and set up in cafés, clubs and other establishments. There are areas of London where I used to work that have thriving illegal meetings and I am sure it is the same in other major cities in the country.

Pub gambling is in that context ‘small beer’, appropriately. However, a ruling by a licensing officer that something is illegal is rather hard to combat, especially if they say that if you continue you may find your licence under review, which is what happened to one reader recently.

Licensees have a number of small-scale gambling ideas put to them either by customers or by firms who can provide games and equipment and who, of course, claim that everything is entirely legal.

It probably is, but the Gambling Commission does not always pronounce on these and finding out the truth is sometimes difficult. If you have such a situation, please email me for some general advice.