Prize Bingo and Law?

[cassa333]

Hi,

Does anyone know the law on prize bingo?

My school PTA want to have a fundraiser of a Bingo Night and are not sure about liciences etc.

\Most seem to think that as long as it is prize bingo and not for cash prizes then it is all right. However a lot think that you are only allowed to charge an entrance fee and have bingo for prizes as entertainment.

Thanks

[one-big-letdown]

You can run bingo as a prize game without the need for a bingo operating licence in adult gaming centres, family entertainment centres, unlicensed family entertainment centres and travelling fairs.

To comply with the rules for prize gaming, the bingo games offered in these venues must:

have a maximum stake of £1 and a prize worth no more than £70 per game
offer no more than £500 of prizes in one day
have no more than £500 in stakes in one day.

If it's raising money for charity, it's also fine aslong as ALL proceeds go to the charity, including any stalls etc on location.

For more, see: http://www.gamblingco...i_need_a_licence.aspx

Hope this helps

[cassa333]

Thank you.

I have read the link and just have one more question... Can you charge for the bingo games as well as an entrance fee (ticket) or does the bingo game payment have to come out of the entrance price?

[one-big-letdown]

No problem.

Sorry I'm only just replying now, been out all day...

You can charge for the games too if you want, but again 100% of this has to be donated.

If you need anything else, just ask :)

Regards
OBL