Poker for under 18's

[Roden]

Would it be illegal to host a poker game in a pub for people who are under 18 if there were no money involved. E.g. No buy-in and no prize money given out. I have played poker like this in a pub before and the police came in to catch underage drinkers, they saw us playing poker and knew some of us wernt 18 and didnt say anything they only asked if there was money involved. So does this mean it is legal?

[Sasha13]

I would have thought so - if there's no money involved it's a game, not gambling so can't see a problem with it.

[loonytunes]

Poker in pubs is discouraged by the Gambling Commission and the Police in many areas have got busy in speaking to pub landlords. The problem is that no on ecan provie that the game is not being played for money. Side bets, settling up outside, no control over entrance money paid in advance are all problems.

The situation may change after 1st September with small stakes betting being proposed but the proposals are still out for consultation.

See www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Client/detail.asp?Contentid=97