Poker Rooms

[Roden]

I will be 18 in April and im thinking about starting my own business. I want to rent or buy a building in which i can run a bar, poker games and other entertainment like pool and snooker. Are there any laws or applications i would need to look into before this can be legally done??

roden

[Ice.Maiden]

Well you'd have to have a licence to sell alcohol for a start - and there must be a gaming licence needed, too.

[Roden]

Yer i guessed that but how do you apply for them and how easy is it to obtain them?

[jkkerr]

You're unlikely to get it yourself aged 18.

Have a look at your local council's website for more info.

[loonytunes]

Zacsmaster is out of date - you don't have to go to court any more for this type of application. Also, at 18, there is nothing to stop you from obtaining a licence to sell alcohol. Your main problem is that you will not only need planning permission but also licences from your local authority for the alcohol and from the Gambling Commission AND the local authority for the separate issues relating to the card games. Once you find the premises, you are looking at 12 to 18 months before being anywhere near opening. Do not go anywhere near a solicitor for advice or to help you with the application. They will charge you thousands and very few solicitors in this country are specialists in licensing any more. They will take your money and get all the answers from the various licensing authorities which give it for free. (I know, I was one). Go to your council and get their information on licensing, or check their website. The Gambling Commission have a website which gives FAQ type info. Check it out for free and decide viability before taking it further..