| Legal matters to do with the hiring and operating of fun casinos |
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It is not our intention to break any Law, or encourage any other person to participate in any activity that might be breaking the Law.
We've published information on this page that we hope helps if you are in any doubt as to the legality of hiring a fun casino. |
In simple terms if you are looking to hire a fun casino as entertainment at a private or corporate event (Wedding, Birthday Party, etc.) and understand that under no circumstances may you make a charge for entry or participation then what we offer is for you.
At such an event you may award prizes (not cash) to your guest's. |
The rules for using a fun casino to raise funds (for a Charity or group) are a bit more involved.
If you are the organiser of such an event then after reading the information on this page you should visit our Fundraising page and also read the information published there. |
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In Britain fun casino's are legally classified as themed entertainment and as such they are not regulated by The Gambling Act 2005*,
as a result of which they do not require a gaming licence or any special permission to hire or operate. |
| They must however comply with section 15 of the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 and The National Lotteries Act 1993 |
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| The Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976, allows any gaming amusement to be used as part of the entertainment at an event provided certain rules are adhered to. |
| The official legal wording is as follows : |
| The promotors of an "exempt entertainment"** (ie : a fete, dinner, dance, sporting event or bazaar) may lawfully provide as part of the entertainment any "amusement with prizes", whether it is a lottery or gaming or both, provided the following conditions are met : |
| That the whole proceeds of the entertainment, after deducting the expenses of the entertainment, shall be devoted to purposes other than private gain. |
| That the facilities for winning prizes at such amusements are not the only or substantial inducement for persons to attend the entertainment. |
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The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (dcms) have published a fact sheet which summarises the position of casino nights under the
Gambling Act 2005,
(which became U.K. law on the 1st September 2007).
The information published on this fact sheet is of particular interest
to charities and other non-commercial societies considering using a
fun casino to raise funds for "good causes". |
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| The following information has been taken from the fact sheet referred to above : |
It must be stated at this juncture that most English Law is drafted in such a way as to be open to interpretation. I've always believed it is written in this way so as to create jobs for the boys. Therefore I must inform you the reader that the interpretations of each type of event given below are my own (not legally trained) interpretations based on common sense and an understanding of the English language.
You are advised to seek legal advice if you do not draw the same conclusions with regard to the lawful hire and use of fun casinos. |
| A non-commercial casino night can be run without a licence, or any other form of permission, providing the operation of the gaming falls into one of the three types : |
| Type one : Non-commercial prize gaming |
The players must be told what good cause will benefit from the profits of the gaming before placing a bet.
The prizes must be advertised in advance and must not depend on the number of people playing or the stakes raised.
The casino gaming determines the individual winner or winners, for example by counting who has the most casino chips at a set time.
The winners are then awarded the prizes that have been advertised in advance. |
| My interpretation : type one is best described as being applicable to hire supplied at a fundraising event. |
| Type two : Non-commercial equal chance gaming |
| Casino nights can be held as non-commercial equal chance gaming. Equal chance gaming includes games such as poker or bingo, where the chances are equally favourable to all participants and players are not competing against a bank. |
| My interpretation : type two doesn't apply to the casino hire we provide as Roulette, Blackjack and Craps are all banker's games and not games of equal chance, so therefore cannot be used for gaming, whether equal chance or not, without a gaming licence. |
| Type three : Private gaming |
Private gaming may only occur in a place to which the public does not have access (a private dwelling, hostel, hall of residence or similar establishment).
No charge may be made for participation in private gaming (and that includes any entrance fee or other charge for admission), nor may any amounts be deducted from stakes or prizes. No profits can be made from private gaming, irrespective of how the organiser intends to use those profits even if intended for charitable purposes. |
| We do not hire out our equipment for any type of gaming / gambling. A fun casino hire at a Wedding, Private Party or Corporate Event is not gaming / gambling, as no money is staked. It is purely for fun / entertainment. |
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| ** "as laid down under section 15 of The Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976, a copy of which can be obtained from The Office of Public Sector Information
(formerly HMSO)" |
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