Bingo licence exemptions
If you are thinking about organizing a commercial bingo event but do not want to apply for a licence, there are certain circumstances under which you won’t need one. You can organize commercial bingo games on premises other than a bingo hall as long as you comply with certain conditions.
These conditions are set out by the Gambling Commission, an independent public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). If you are in any doubt it is worth consulting them or checking their website.
Bingo events on alcohol licence premises, members clubs or commercial clubs do not need an operating licence. This is on condition that the games are for adults only (if in a pub), are held on the premises, are open to club members and guests only (if in a members club), are not linked with games played on other premises (via a remote link) and cost no more than £1 per day per person to play. The prize fund awarded in any week must not exceed £2,000 or the total amount staked by players.
You can run bingo as a prize game without a licence in an adult gaming centre, family entertainment centre, unlicensed family entertainment centre or travelling fair. The games offered must have a maximum stake of £1 and prize which does not exceed £70 per game. The organizers can offer prizes as long as they do not exceed £500 in a day and stakes must not exceed £500 in one day.