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The legal basis for bingo is complex. Make sure you carefully follow all the rules for the type of gaming you want to run.Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
This includes playing bingo:Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
at home
in places which aren't open to the public
online
in types of clubs
in pubs and bars
in premises which already have a gambling licence
for fundraising.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
Residential gaming is a form of private gaming that takes place in shared accommodation settings where people live temporarily or permanently. For example, a hostel or halls of residence.
You do not need a licence for this kind of gaming.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must:
all be present in the same location and play the game together in person
make sure at least half of the people playing live at that location.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must not:
charge any entry fees - this includes any kind of admission fee or fee for taking part
make a profit from the game - even if you intend to donate the profits to charity or good causes
collect any voluntary or compulsory fees or charges from the money players bet or win
run the game as part of a trade or business
play the bingo virtually, or online in any way.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
A group of 4 friends want to play a game of bingo at their student halls. They invite 2 more friends over to join them and everyone plays the game at the same physical location, using a bingo board game.
Every player pays a £1 stake and this makes up the pot of money which can be won.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
Domestic gaming is a form of private gaming that takes place within private homes and their associated living spaces. For example, a house, motorhomes, houseboats and garden sheds.
Under 18s can take part.
You do not need a licence for this kind of gaming.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must:
make sure the game takes place in the house or accommodation where you usually live
play the game on a domestic occasion. For example, a dinner party or other small gathering in your home.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must not:
hold the bingo game outside of a residential setting
play the game in group accommodation, such as student halls of residence. See residential gaming instead
charge any entry fees - this includes any kind of admission fee or fee for taking part
make a profit from the game - even if you intend to donate the profits to charity or good causes
play the bingo virtually, or online in any way.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
Danielle invites her friends over to her house for her baby shower. One of the activities is a game of bingo. Everyone will physically play the bingo game at Danielle’s house and everyone has the same chance of winning.
Every player pays a stake and this makes up the pot of money which can be won.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You need a licence to run any kind of online or 'remote' bingo. This includes any type of game where players would be taking part virtually. For example, you need a licence to run a bingo game played using social media or on a video call, using platforms such as Zoom.
!Warning
If you run an online bingo game without a licence you are breaking the law.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
This includes:
internet
telephone
television
radio
any other type of electronic or other technology that enable communication.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
The legal basis for bingo means that even if you have good intentions (such as playing for charity) you could face a fine or criminal prosecution.
If you want to run online bingo you’ll need to apply for a remote bingo operating licence with us. You’ll also need to comply with the relevant legal requirements and our regulatory codes.
members’ clubs - such as working men’s clubs, branches of the Royal British Legion clubs and with political ties, or
miners’ welfare institutes.
You do not need a licence for this kind of gaming. However, you'll need to apply for a club gaming permit with your local authority.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must make sure:
the game is played as an equal chance game (essentially all players must have the same chance of winning)
the gaming is not the main purpose of the club – it can only be an additional activity
every player is a member of the club, or, a guest of a member
children and young people under 18 are not allowed in the area of the club where the gaming is taking place
total stakes and prizes for the game do not exceed £2,000 in a 7 day period. Otherwise, this will be classed as ‘high turnover’ bingo. If this happens, you’ll need to tell us. If it happens more than once, then you’ll need a licence
you charge a maximum of £3 in participation fees, per person and per day.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You can’t:
run ‘linked’ games with players on other premises. For example, you cannot run a linked game between two branches of the Royal British Legion based in two locations
deduct from or ‘levy’ on money staked or won by players in the game. It doesn’t matter if the charge is voluntary or compulsory
play the bingo virtually, or online in any way.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
A local branch of a political club want to run a bingo night. Usually, the club meet to discuss environmental issues. Everyone taking part in the bingo night will be a member of the club, or a registered guest.
There will be no under 18s taking part, and no children or young people will be allowed in the function room where the bingo will take place. The total stakes and prizes will be less than £2,000. The club applies for a club gaming permit and their request for the permit is granted.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
A club gaming permit also allows you to provide a maximum of 3 gaming machines from categories B3A (with agreement), B4, C or D.
You can run games like bingo and poker in the following places:
members’ clubs - such as working men’s clubs, branches of the Royal British Legion and clubs with political ties
Commercial clubs - clubs created with the aim of making a profit, such as snooker clubs and gyms or sports facilities, where you'd pay to become a member but have no say in how the club is run.
miners’ welfare institutes.
You do not need a licence for this kind of gaming.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must make sure:
the game is played as an equal chance game (essentially all players must have the same chance of winning)
the gaming is not the main purpose of the club – it can only be an additional activity.
every player is a member of the club, or, a guest of a member
children and under 18s do not take part
total stakes and prizes for the game do not exceed £2,000 in a 7 day period. Otherwise, this will be classed as ‘high turnover’ bingo. If this happens, you’ll need to tell us. If it happens more than once, then you’ll need a licence
you charge a maximum of £1 in participation fees, per person and per day.
If you’re a commercial club with a club machine permit the participation fee increases to £3 per person per day.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You can’t:
deduct from or ‘levy’ on money staked or won by players in the game. It doesn’t matter if the charge is voluntary or compulsory
run ‘linked’ games with players on other premises. For example, you cannot run a linked game between two branches of the Royal British Legion based in two locations
play the bingo virtually, or online in any way.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
Generally, in any alcohol-licensed premises, such as pubs and bars.
You do not need a licence for this kind of gaming.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must make sure:
the game is played as an equal chance game (essentially all players must have the same chance of winning)
children and under 18s do not take part
total stakes and prizes for the game do not exceed £2,000 in a 7 day period. Otherwise, this will be classed as ‘high turnover’ bingo. If this happens, you’ll need to tell us. If it happens more than once, then you’ll need a licence
the stake limit is £5 per person, per game
all stakes are returned as prizes.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You can’t:
Make a profit from the game - even if you intend to donate the profits to charity or good causes
charge any participation fees – or any kind of admission fee
run ‘linked’ games with players on other premises. For example, you cannot run a linked game between two chain pubs, based in two different locations
deduct from or ‘levy’ on money staked or won by players in the game. It doesn’t matter if the charge is voluntary or compulsory
play the bingo virtually, or online in any way.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
The owner of a nightclub wants to run a bingo night. The club’s premises already has an alcohol licence and only adults are allowed in the club. The total stakes and prizes for the bingo will be less than £2,000. All stakes will be returned as prizes. The owner of the club will give free entry to the club for the bingo night and there won’t be any other charges for people to take part.
The maximum stake is charged at £5 per person per game. All the money raised from the bingo night will be given back as prizes. Guests will still be able to buy drinks and pay for them as usual.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You can charge admission costs for the overall entertainment. However, you can't charge participation fees, or any kind of entry fees for the bingo.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
A pub landlady wants to hold an entertainment evening. She plans to offer entertainment a live band, quiz and a game of bingo. The landlady can charge an entry fee – for instance £10 – for the event as a whole and make a profit from the fee. However, people who will be playing bingo must be able to enter the pub without paying the entry fee. Some venues have a separate area where people can join in with bingo for free, but they can’t access the other entertainment, in order to do this.
For example, the landlady can use a function room for the bingo which people will access for free (or, to pay a maximum of £5 stake per person, per game). However, guests won’t be able to access the main pub to watch the band or take part in the quiz without paying the £10 entry fee.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
The rules about playing bingo as prize gaming depend on the type of premises it is played in.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must make sure you only offer the type of gaming you're permitted to, as follows:
Licensed bingo premises - any type of prize gaming
Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) - any type of prize gaming
Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) - any type of prize gaming
Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centre (UFEC) - can only offer equal chance prize gaming (under their gaming machine permit)
Travelling fairs - can only offer equal chance prize gaming, which must be ancillary (additional) to other amusements at the fair.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
For the following, the game of bingo must take place over one day only:
prize gaming permit holders
Adult Gaming Centre (AGC)
Family Entertainment Centre (FEC)
travelling fairs.
These restrictions do not apply to licensed bingo premises.
In Adult Gaming Centres, licensed and unlicensed family entertainment centres and travelling fairs, you must also make sure that:
all chances to play are allocated or acquired on the premises where the gambling is taking place and on one day
the game must be played and completed on the day the chances are allocated
the result of the game must be made public in the premises on the day the game is played.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must also follow additional rules - including keeping to the maximum prize limits. These depend on the type of premises, as follows.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You can't:
base the value of the prizes on the number of people playing, or the amount raised by the game
play the bingo virtually, or online in any way.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must also adhere to the following rules, including prize limits and maximum participation fees, which vary depending on the type of premises.
Licensed
bingo premises
Bingo halls and clubs that hold a bingo premises licence.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
The maximum participation fee you can charge people is £1 per chance
to win 1 or more prizes in a game.
The maximum aggregate participation fees per game are £500.
The maximum single prize limit is £70 cash or in prize value (if
under 18s are allowed on the premises). Or, the maximum prize limit is £100 (if under
18s are not allowed on the premises).
The maximum aggregate prize fund (cash or in prize value) per game is
£500.
Under 18s cannot take part in prize gaming at a bingo hall.
Adult Gaming Centre (AGC)
High-street outlets with gaming machines only available to over 18s.
For example, AGCs offer games which include slots, casino-style games and fruit
machines. AGCs must have a Gambling Commission licence.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
The maximum participation fee is £1 per chance to win 1 or more
prizes in a game.
The maximum aggregate participation fees per game are £500.
The maximum single prize limit is £70 cash or in prize value.
The maximum aggregate prize fund (cash or in prize value) per game is
£500.
Under 18s cannot take part in this kind of gaming at an AGC.
Family Entertainment Centre (FEC)
Larger arcades which cater for a range of ages.
They're allowed to provide an unlimited number of certain types of gaming machine in a
premise which is open to all ages. FECs must have a Gambling Commission licence.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
The maximum participation fee is £1 per chance to win 1 or more
prizes in a game.
The maximum aggregate participation fees per game are £500.
The maximum single prize limit is £70 cash or in prize value.
The maximum aggregate prize fund (cash or in prize value) per game is
£500.
Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centre (UFEC)
Family-friendly amusement arcades and small arcades in holiday parks and resorts.
Unlicensed FECs must have a permit from the local licensing authority.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
The maximum participation fee is £1 per chance to win 1 or more
prizes in a game.
The maximum aggregate participation fees per game are £500.
The maximum single prize limit is £70 cash or in prize value.
The maximum aggregate prize fund (cash or in prize value) per game is
£500.
Travelling fairs
Made up of amusements, rides and games.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
At a travelling fair, the bingo must be an ancillary (additional) amusement at the
fair. For example, a travelling fair could offer bingo as well as their main attractions of fairground
rides.
The maximum participation fee is £1 per chance to win 1 or more
prizes in a game.
The maximum aggregate participation fees per game are £500.
The maximum single prize limit is £70 cash or in prize value.
The maximum aggregate prize fund (cash or in prize value) per game is
£500.
Under 18s can take part in this kind of gaming at a travelling fair.
You can raise money for charity by running a bingo night or bingo fundraiser, however you must follow the relevant rules.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
Anywhere which does not have a gambling premises licence. For example, this can include things like school halls, places of worship and community spaces.
However, the gaming must take place at a non-commercial event at one of these venues.
The event is non-commercial if all the proceeds from the event are used for fundraising and the reasonable costs of organising the event.
This includes money from:
entrance and participation fees
sponsorship
commission from traders
any other source.
Under 18s can take part in the following kinds of 'non-commercial gaming'.
There are specific rules for this kind of gaming if you want to hold it at a racetrack.
You do not need a licence for this kind of gaming. However, you must make sure you follow all of these rules.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must:
make sure the game is played as an equal chance game (essentially all players must have the same chance of winning)
tell everyone who is playing what good cause you’re raising money for in advance. For example, tell players you’re raising money for Cancer Research UK before the bingo night.
use any of the proceeds from your non-commercial event for private gain.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You can only use the profits raised from bingo to give to the good cause you’ve advertised.
You can only deduct (take away) money from the total raised to pay for reasonable costs. For example, costs for prizes, printing bingo cards or providing refreshments.
You cannot make money for yourself or for your business from the event.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
Money raised from the bingo by stakes, entry or participation fees, minus costs from giving prizes or other reasonable costs.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
If a third party is selling good or services at the bingo night, for example refreshments, this won’t count as money raised for charity and can be kept by the third party. For example, if a local baker has a stand at the bingo night selling homemade cakes, they can keep any money raised from sales on the night.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You can charge players a maximum amount of £8 per person for all the games at the event per day. This includes entrance or participation fees, stakes and any other payments linked to the gaming.
Make sure that the amount or value paid out in prizes is below £600 in total across all players, unless the event is the final in a series in which all of the players have previously taken part. In this case, a higher prize fund of up to £900 is allowed.
Example
A wheelchair basketball club want to run a bingo night to raise money to buy one of their members a custom-built racing wheelchair. The organisers will let everyone taking part know the good cause the event is raising money for in advance.
Players are charged no more than £8 in total to take part.
All the players will physically play the game of bingo together, at the local church hall which they have hired for the evening. After the event, the organisers will deduct a small amount of money to pay for the costs of buying the bingo cards and pens. The rest of the money raised will all go to the good cause.
Is BitStarz Safe to Use? Complete Guide 2025
You must tell everyone who is playing what good cause you’re raising money for in advance. For example, tell players you’re raising money for Cancer Research UK before the bingo night.
There are no limits on stakes, prizes, participation fees or any other charges for this type of gaming.
However, you must not base the value of the prizes on the number of people playing, or the amount raised by the game.
Example
The PTA of a primary school want to hold a bingo night for parents, to raise money to buy kit for their athletics team. The organisers will let everyone taking part know the charity the event is raising money for in advance.
They'll also advertise all the prizes in advance. As there are no limits on the value of the prizes, local businesses have donated prizes which include a luxury hamper and a spa day.
All the parents will physically play the game of bingo together, in the school’s hall. After the event, the organisers deduct a small amount of money to pay for the costs of buying the bingo cards and pens. The rest of the money raised will all go to the good cause.
Last updated: 1 November 2021
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