Playing poker in a pub

Question:

Is it legal to play poker in a pub, but not for money?

Answer:

1. The Act defines ‘gaming' as playing a game of chance for winnings in money or money's worth (for example, a car) where any person playing the game risks losing or not. Therefore, if you were playing with chips but each chip could be redeemed by the game's nominated banker for £1, this could still constitute‘money's worth'.

2. If a game is not being played for money (including cheques, banknotes, postal orders etc.) or money's worth, it is arguable that poker is not being played with the objective of making a profit. Therefore the game played does not constitute gaming for the purpose of the Act.

Note:

If you are going to play poker online, please click on one of the links on the right or in our poker directory.

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