Bingo Regulations

The Gambling Act 2005 will be fully implemented in the UK by September 2007, but at the time of writing, cash bingo is regulated by the Gaming Act 1968. This Act states that the game may only be played at premises that have been licensed by the Gambling Commission, with just a few exceptions – notably social clubs and institutions that meet a range of separate criteria detailed in Section 40 of the Act. If a bingo game is being organised for charitable purposes then the rules concerning this can be found in Section 41 of the Act.

The Gaming Act 1968 states that individuals playing bingo must be doing so on licensed premises, so almost all online bingo companies operate from outside the United Kingdom in order to avoid contravening this stipulation. However, it should be noted that this does not mean that online bingo companies are unregulated. They are in fact licensed by and regulated according to the laws of the country they operate from. For example, an online bingo company operating from Gibraltar would be regulated by the provisions of the Gaming Legislation, Ordinances and Regulations of and issued by the Government of Gibraltar.

At the end of last year the president of the United States of America signed The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. This Act prevents American banks from processing or otherwise handling any financial transaction related to gambling via the internet. Although many experts have complained that this Act is unconstitutional it remains in effect. As a result of this legislation, and the heavy-handed way in which the US authorities seem to be treating gaming industry professionals from around the globe, few online bingo sites will accept money from any player in the USA, and residents of the USA are advised to avoid playing bingo online until the current legal position changes.

As for regulations in each online bingo room, you should read the Terms and Conditions on each site. Although not something that you'd choose to do on a regular basis, it could save you problems later on. here are a typical set of General T&Cs:

By playing at Bingo, you represent and warrant that you fully understand and agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions.

2. Bingo is restricted to individuals of legal age as determined in the jurisdiction in which the individual resides. You cannot play under any circumstances if you are not at least 18 years of age.

3. Participation in the activities and games of Bingo (the "Bingo Game") is open only to residents of those jurisdictions where such participation is legal and not prohibited. Participation in the Bingo Game is void wherever prohibited by law.

4. The Company makes no representations or warranties, implicit or explicit, as to your legal right to participate in the Bingo Game nor shall any of the Company's employees, licensees, distributors, wholesalers, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, promotion or other agencies, media partners, agents or retailers have the authority to make any such representations or warranties.

5. Employees of the Company, its licensees, distributors, wholesalers, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, promotion or other agencies, media partners, retailers and members of the immediate families of each are not eligible to participate in the Bingo Game.

6. Any participation in the Bingo Game is at your sole option, discretion and risk. By playing the Game, you acknowledge that you do not find the Bingo Game or Bingo to be offensive, objectionable, unfair, or indecent.

7. You are only permitted to enter Bingo for your own personal entertainment and non-professional use. Any other entrance, access, use or reuse of the Bingo or the Web site is strictly prohibited.

8. Only one account per person is permitted. Unfortunately, this is necessary to prevent abuse of our generous "free money" policies.

9. The management of Bingo reserves the right to withhold payment to any player pending verification of the player's identity.

 

Regulations Last Updated: 06/06/2007