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Are pub games legal???

  • 12-11-2006 11:06pm
    #1
    PokerBillyJoe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭


    I recently started working in a bar and suggested to my boss that he run a regular poker night. He liked the idea and ran it by his lawyer. Lawyer said it was totally illegal for a licenced premises to profit from a poker event. He also said he has no idea how people get away with it as it is contrary to the licencing law not the gaming law. Wasnt sure what all that meant really but often see pub games advertised here. Anyone know the ins and outs of it????


Comments

  • #2
    Mr. Flibble
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,364 ✭✭✭Mr. Flibble


    PokerBillyJoe wrote:
    I recently started working in a bar and suggested to my boss that he run a regular poker night. He liked the idea and ran it by his lawyer. Lawyer said it was totally illegal for a licenced premises to profit from a poker event. He also said he has no idea how people get away with it as it is contrary to the licencing law not the gaming law. Wasnt sure what all that meant really but often see pub games advertised here. Anyone know the ins and outs of it????
    I read the gambling act (1952 i think if you are searching) a while ago and it looks pretty clear from it that all clubs are illegal. I haven't read the drink licencing law, maybe its doubly illegal, which probably makes it legal.


  • #3
    Mellor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,901 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    "Lawyer said it was totally illegal for a licenced premises to profit from a poker event"

    Its illegal for the pub to profit directly from a poker event. But if he was run a poker event where he made no profit from the poker, but rather on the pints the players buy. It would be legal. Say on a tuesday night when it might be slow, he could get a few arses in seats if he invested in a friendly game.

    Most pub games are run by a group of people who dont work for the pub. And the pub makes profit from pints or some organisers throw pubs a few bob under the table.


  • #4
    horsebokks
    Closed Accounts Posts: 195 ✭✭horsebokks


    Mellor wrote:
    "Lawyer said it was totally illegal for a licenced premises to profit from a poker event"

    Its illegal for the pub to profit directly from a poker event. But if he was run a poker event where he made no profit from the poker, but rather on the pints the players buy. It would be legal. Say on a tuesday night when it might be slow, he could get a few arses in seats if he invested in a friendly game.

    Most pub games are run by a group of people who dont work for the pub. And the pub makes profit from pints or some organisers throw pubs a few bob under the table.
    gaming & lotteries act 1956 section 9
    1)the licensee of the premises shall not permit gaming on the premises
    2)this section shall not prohibit the licensee or his private friends from playing cards for stakes in a part of the premises other than that in which the sale of intoxicating liquor generally takes place if the friends are being entertained by him at his own expense.
    3)this section does not apply to the playing of a game where no stake is hazarded by the players other than a charge for the right to take part in the game,provided that
    A)only one such charge is made in respect of the day on which the game is played,and
    b)the charge is of the same amount for all the players and
    c)the promoter (if any)derives no personal profit from the promotion of the game
    4)the conviction for an offence under this section shall,if the court in its discretion so thinks proper,be recorded on the licence



    THIS MIGHT CLEAR THINGS UP FOR YOU


  • #5
    irishmanimal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭irishmanimal


    The guys are right, as long as the premises isnt making direct profit from the gaming.
    and if they are not gambling directly for money. as in, i raise €5, the games we play in Script, in Greystones(nov.19th) is basically, we pay in, 20 goes into the pot, 5 into organisers, and who ever wins gets the cash prize. so its just like playing in a table quiz with a cash prize. sure come down and see how its done.


  • #6
    Mellor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,901 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    horsebokks wrote:
    gaming & lotteries act 1956 section 9

    3)this section does not apply to the playing of a game where no stake is hazarded by the players other than a charge for the right to take part in the game,provided that
    A)only one such charge is made in respect of the day on which the game is played,and
    b)the charge is of the same amount for all the players and
    c)the promoter (if any)derives no personal profit from the promotion of the game


    THIS MIGHT CLEAR THINGS UP FOR YOU


    I was trying to explain that, but didn't do it too clearly, thanks for getting exact section. Thats part suggests that cash games are illegal, as a stake is involved. But tourneys are ok. As the entry fee is a single sake to play. Rebuys would be a grey area. But I think they are ok as they are an optional re-entry, not a charge you have to pay to continue.

    But point C, does mean that reg fees are illegal. For any organisers. I thought it was just for owners, and not any promoters.


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