Section 288: Meaning of “prize gaming”
730.To be prize gaming, the prize for which the gaming is played must comply with the following requirements:
the nature or size of the prize must not be determined by reference to the number of people playing the game; and
the nature or size of the prize must not be determined by reference to the amount paid for or raised by the gaming.
731.This gaming is therefore different to gaming where the stakes paid by the players are used to calculate the winnings available. The effect of the definition is that in prize gaming the prizes available will be determined by the operator of the gaming before play commences, and the payments he receives from the players will not be put directly to any prize on offer. This does not stop operators from estimating what money will be raised from gaming, or predicting the numbers who will take part. Its purpose is to stop the actual amounts raised in a particular game being used to determine the prize in that particular game. Prize gaming can cover both money and non-money prizes.
732.Section 288 does not prevent prizes being won in a way that depends on the progress or outcome of the game. This means that if different prizes can be claimed dependent on how quickly a win takes place (for example, calling “house” in a game of bingo within a certain number of calls), this is permitted.
