Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981

Sections 17(1) and 20.

SCHEDULE 3 U.K. Bingo Duty

Part I U.K. Exemption from Duty

Domestic bingo U.K.

1 Bingo duty shall not be charged in respect of bingo played both in a private dwelling and on a domestic occasion.

Small-scale bingo U.K.

[F1 2 (1) Bingo duty shall not be charged in respect of bingo promoted by any person and played on any day in a week (the “chargeable week”) at any premises, other than premises which are licensed under the M1 Gaming Act 1968 [F2 or under Chapter II of Part III of the M2 Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985]], if—

(a) where a person’s eligibility to participate in that bingo depends upon his being a member of a particular society or his being a guest of such a member or of the society—

(i) the total value of the prizes won on any day in a relevant week at those premises in bingo played by members of that society or by guests of such members or of the society does not exceed [F3 £500]; and

(ii) the total value of prizes won during any relevant week at those premises in bingo played by any such persons does not exceed [F4 £1,500] and

(b) in any other case—

(i) the total value of the prizes won on any day in a relevant week at those premises in bingo promoted by that person does not exceed [F3 £500]; and

(ii) the total value of the prizes won during any relevant week at those premises in bingo promoted by that person does not exceed [F4 £1,500].

[F5 (1A) Where the total value of the card money taken in the bingo in question played at any premises exceeds during, or on any day in, a relevant week the total value of the prizes won in that bingo during that week or, as the case may be, on that day, any reference in sub-paragraph (1) above to the total value of the prizes so won shall be read as a reference to the total of the card money so taken.

In this sub-paragraph “card money” means money taken by or on behalf of the promoter of the bingo as payment by players for their cards (within the meaning of section 17(3) of this Act)]

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) above—

• “relevant week”, in relation to any chargeable week, means (subject to sub-paragraph (3) below that week or any of the preceding twelve weeks; and

• “society” includes any club, institution, organisation or association of persons, by whatever name called, and any separate branch or section of such club, institution, organisation or association but a branch or section shall not be treated as a separate branch or section unless it occupies separate premises.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph there shall be disregarded any bingo which—

(a) is played in any week beginning before 27th September 1982; or

(b) is exempt from duty by virtue of paragraph 5 or 6 below.

Textual Amendments

F1 Para. 2 substituted for paras. 2-4 by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(2)

F2 Words inserted by Finance Act 1986 (c. 41, SIF 12:2), s. 6, Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 12(1)

F3 “£500” substituted by S.I. 1989/1357, art. 2

F4 “£1,500” substituted by S.I. 1989/1357, art. 2

F5 Para. 2(1A) inserted by Finance Act 1983 (c. 28, SIF 12:2), s. 5(1)

Marginal Citations

M1 1968 c. 65(12:1).

M2 S.I. 1985/1204 (N.I. 11).

Valid from 10/07/2003

2A (1) In the case of non-licensed bingo to which paragraph 2 does not apply— U.K.

(a) payments in respect of entitlement to participate in the non-licensed bingo shall not be brought into account in relation to any person for the purpose of section 19 (subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) below), and

(b) winnings at the non-licensed bingo shall not be brought into account in relation to any person for the purpose of section 20 (subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) below).

(2) If on a day winnings at non-licensed bingo promoted by a person exceed £500, sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply in relation to the person in respect of the accounting period in which that day falls and the next two accounting periods.

(3) If stakes exceeding in aggregate £500 are hazarded on a day at non-licensed bingo promoted by a person, sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply in relation to the person in respect of the accounting period in which that day falls and the next two accounting periods.

(4) If in an accounting period winnings at non-licensed bingo promoted by a person exceed £7,500, sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply in relation to the person in respect of that accounting period and the next two accounting periods.

(5) If stakes exceeding in aggregate £7,500 are hazarded in an accounting period at non-licensed bingo promoted by a person, sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply in relation to the person in respect of that accounting period and the next two accounting periods.

(6) For the purposes of this paragraph winnings at bingo shall be valued in accordance with section 20(2) to (6).

Valid from 10/07/2003

Non-profit-making bingo U.K.

2B In calculating liability to bingo duty no account shall be taken of bingo to which there apply (without any exception or modification by virtue of regulations) both—

(a) section 3 of the Gaming Act 1968 or Article 56 of the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (prohibition on charging for participation), and

(b) section 4 of that Act or Article 57 of that Order (prohibition of levy on stakes or winnings).

Small-scale amusements provided commercially U.K.

5 (1) Bingo duty shall not be charged in respect of bingo played in compliance with the conditions of this paragraph—

(a) on any premises in respect of which a permit under section 16 of the M3 Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 (provision of amusements with prizes) has been granted in accordance with Schedule 3 to that Act and is for the time being in force;

[F6 (aa) on any premises in Northern Ireland in respect of which an amusement permit under Article 111 of the M4 Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 or a pleasure permit under Article 157 of that Order has been granted;]

(b) on any premises in respect of which there is for the time being in force both a gaming machine licence under this Act and a permit granted under section 34 of the M5 Gaming Act 1968, not being premises in respect of which a club or a miners’ welfare institute within the meaning of the Gaming Act 1968 is for the time being registered under Part III of that Act; or

(c) at any pleasure fair consisting wholly or mainly of amusements provided by travelling showmen, which is held on any day of a year on premises not previously used in that year for more than twenty-seven days for the holding of such a pleasure fair.

(2) The conditions of this paragraph are that—

(a) the amount payable by any person for a card for any one game of bingo does not exceed [F7 30p];

(b) the total amount taken as payment by players for their cards for any one games does not exceed £10;

(c) no money prize exceeding [F8 30p] is distributed or offered;

(d) the winning of, or the purchase of a chance to win, a prize does not entitle any person (whether subject to a further payment by him or not) to any further opportunity to win money or money’s worth by taking part in any gaming or in any lottery; and

(e) in the case of such a pleasure fair as is described above, the opportunity to play bingo is not the only, or the only substantial, inducement to persons to attend the fair.

Textual Amendments

F6 Para. 5(1)(aa) inserted by Finance Act 1986 (c. 41, SIF 12:2), s. 6, Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 12(2) (as to commencement see s. 6(3)(5) and S.R. (N.I.) 1987 Nos. 6, 185)

F7 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1984/431, art. 4(a)

F8 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1984/431, art. 4(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 3 para. 5(2)(b) has effect (4.9.1989) as if for the sum specified therein there were substituted the sum of £20 by virtue of S.I. 1989/1357, art. 3 (which art. 3 was revoked (6.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/752, art. 2); by S.I. 1993/752, art.3 it is provided (6.4.1993) that sub-para. (2)(b) shall have effect as if for the sum of £20 there were substituted the sum of £25 (which S.I. was revoked (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/2967, art. 2)

Marginal Citations

M3 1976 c. 32(12:1).

M4 S.I. 1985/1204 (N.I. 11).

M5 1968 c. 65(12:1).

Machine bingo U.K.

6 Bingo duty shall not be charged in respect of bingo played by means of a gaming machine the provision of which on premises requires the authority of an excise licence under section 21 of this Act.

Power to increase limits of exemptions U.K.

7 U.K. The Commissioners may by order provide that any provision of this Part of this Schedule which is specified in the order and which mentions a sum shall have effect (whether as from a date so specified or in relation to events taking place on or after a date so specified) as if for that sum there were substituted such larger sum as may be specified in the order.

Part II U.K. Supplementary Provisions

Definitions U.K.

8 U.K. In this Part of this Schedule—

• “bingo-promotor” means a person who promotes the playing of bingo chargeable with bingo duty;

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;

• “regulations” means regulations of the Commissioners made under this Part of this Schedule.

General administration U.K.

9 (1) Bingo duty shall be under the care and management of the Commissioners and shall be accounted for by such persons, and accounted for and paid at such times and in such manner, as may be required by or under regulations. U.K.

(2) Without prejudice to any other provision of this Schedule, regulations may provide for any matter for which provision appears to the Commissioners to be necessary for the administration or enforcement of bingo duty, or for the protection of the revenue in respect of that duty.

Notification to Commissioners by, and registration of, bingo-promoters U.K.

10 (1) Any person who intends to promote the playing of bingo which will, or may, be chargeable with bingo duty shall, not less than fourteen days before the first day on which bingo is to be played, notify the Commissioners of his intention, specifying the premises on which the bingo is to be played, and applying to be registered as a bingo-promoter.

[F9 (1A) Any person who is a bingo-promoter but is not registered as such and is not a person to whom sub-paragraph (1) above applies shall within five days of the date on which he became a bingo-promoter (disregarding any day which is a Saturday or a Sunday or a Bank Holiday) notify the Commissioners of that fact and of the place where the bingo was and (if he intends to continue to promote the playing of bingo which will or may be chargeable with duty) is to be played and apply to be registered as a bingo-promoter.]

(2) Where a person [F10 gives notice to the Commissioners under sub-paragraph (1) or (1A) above], he shall be entitled to be registered by the Commissioners, except that the Commissioners may, where it appears to them to be requisite for the security of the revenue to do so, impose as a condition of a person’s registration, or may subsequently impose as a condition of the continuance in force of his registration, a requirement that he shall give such security (or further security) by way of deposit or otherwise for any bingo duty which he is, or may become, liable to pay as the Commissioners may from time to time require.

[F11 Conditions shall not be imposed under this sub-paragraph if the premises at which the bingo in question is or is to be played are not licensed under the M6 Gaming Act 1968][F12 or under Chapter II of Part III of the M7 Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985].

(3) Where, in the case of a person who is for the time being registered as a bingo-promoter, the Commissioners exercise their power under sub-paragraph (2) above to impose, as a condition of the continuance in force of his registration, a requirement that he shall give security or further security, and he does not give it, the Commissioners may cancel his registration but without prejudice to his right to apply again to be registered.

Textual Amendments

F9 Para. 10(1A) inserted by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(3)(a)

F10 Words substituted by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(3)(b)

F11 Words inserted by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(3)(b)

F12 Words inserted by Finance Act 1986 (c. 41, SIF 12:2), s. 6, Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 12(3)

Marginal Citations

M6 1968 c. 65(12:1).

M7 S.I. 1985/1204 (N.I. 11).

Announcement of prizes U.K.

11 A bingo-promoter shall ensure that, before the beginning of any game of bingo promoted by him, the value of any prize to be won in the game is made known to the players in accordance with such requirements as may be prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph.

Books, records, accounts, etc. U.K.

12 (1) A [F13 promoter of bingo other than bingo which is exempt from duty by virtue of paragraph 1, 5 or 6 above] shall keep such books, records and accounts as may be prescribed, or as the Commissioners may direct either generally or in a particular case.

(2) Any such books, records and accounts—

(a) shall be preserved for at least two years or such shorter period as the Commissioners may in any particular case direct, and

(b) shall be kept in such form as the Commissioners may direct either generally or in a particular case;

and different directions under this sub-paragraph may be given by the Commissioners in relation to different cases or to different classes of books, records or accounts.

(3) [F14 Any such promoter of bingo] shall, if so required by the Commissioners or an officer—

(a) produce, at a time and place specified in the requirement, such books, records, accounts or documents relating to the playing of bingo promoted by him as may be so specified, and

(b) give such other information relating thereto as may be so specified.

(4) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, regulations may include provision requiring [F15 such promoters of bingo as aforesaid] to keep and, if required by the Commissioners or an officer, to produce for inspection records showing the value of prizes won at bingo.

Textual Amendments

F13 Words substituted by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(4)(a)

F14 Words substituted by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(4)(b)

F15 Words substituted by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(4)(c)

Powers to enter premises and obtain information U.K.

13 (1) Any officer may, without paying, enter on any premises where bingo is played or on which he has reasonable cause to suspect that bingo has been or is about to be played, and inspect the premises and anything whatsoever which he finds there; and he may further— U.K.

(a) require any person concerned with the management of the premises to provide him with information with respect to activities carried on there;

(b) require any person on the premises who appears to him to be, or to have been, playing any game to provide him with information with respect to the game and, in particular, to produce to him any document or thing in his possession which is or was used in connection with the playing of the game.

(2) An officer who enters any premises in the exercise of powers conferred by this paragraph shall be permitted to remain there at any time when the premises are being used for gaming, or when he has reasonable cause to suspect that they are about to be so used.

Power to estimate duty U.K.

14 (1) Where an amount is due from any person on account of bingo duty but the Commissioners are unable to ascertain the amount of duty properly due from him—

(a) by reason of his failure to keep or to produce or furnish to the proper officer any books, records, accounts or other documents which he is required or directed under this Schedule to keep, produce or furnish, or

(b) by reason of his failure to take or permit to be taken any other step which he is so required to take or permit to be taken, or

(c) by reason of such books, records, or accounts being materially incomplete or inaccurate.

the Commissioners may estimate the amount of duty due.

(2) Without prejudice to the recovery of the full amount due or to the making of a further estimate, the amount estimated shall be recoverable as duty properly due unless in any action relating thereto the person liable proves the amount properly due and that amount is less than the amount estimated.

Disputes as to computation of duty U.K.

15 (1) Without prejudice to paragraph 14 above, if any dispute arises between the Commissioners and [F16 a promoter of bingo as to the amount taken by him or on his behalf on a particular occasion as payment by players for cards or as to the value of the prizes won in bingo promoted by him or by any other promoter on one or more occasions,], then—

(a) the Commissioners shall by notice in writing to [F17 the promoter] specify what in their opinion the amount or value is; and

(b) the amount of duty [F18 (if any)] chargeable to, and recoverable from, the promoter shall be computed in accordance with that opinion.

(2) If the promoter disputes the Commissioners’ opinion as to the said amount or value, he may at any time within three months of the date of the notice, and subject to his having paid the full amount of duty which in accordance with that opinion (as stated in the notice) is due from him, apply to the High Court or, in Scotland, the Court of Session for a declaration as to what the said amount or value is.

(3) If on an application under sub-paragraph (2) above the court makes a declaration specifying a different amount or value from that specified in the Commissioners’ notice, then—

(a) the notice shall be amended accordingly;

(b) any amount by which duty is found to have been overpaid shall be repaid by the Commissioners together with interest thereon from the date of overpayment at such rate as the court may determine;

(c) any amount by which duty is found to have been underpaid shall be recoverable as duty properly due.

[F19 (4) In any case where a promoter of bingo disputes the amount of duty chargeable to and recoverable from him by reference to bingo which is chargeable to duty by reason only that one or other (or both) of the conditions specified in sub-paragraph (1)(a) of paragraph 2 above is not satisfied with respect to that bingo, any information obtained in pursuance of this Schedule relating to bingo promoted by any other person may be disclosed to him and shall be admissible in evidence in any proceedings against him.]

Textual Amendments

F16 Words substituted by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(5)(a)

F17 Words substituted by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(5)(b)

F18 Words inserted by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(5)(c)

F19 Para. 15(4) inserted by Finance Act 1982 (c. 39, SIF 12:2), s. 8, Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 5(6)

Enforcement U.K.

16 (1) Any person who is knowingly concerned in or in taking steps with a view to the fraudulent evasion by him or any other person of bingo duty shall be guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a penalty of the prescribed sum or, if greater, treble the amount of the duty payment of which is sought to be evaded or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment to a penalty of any amount or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F20 seven years] or to both.

(2) Any person who—

(a) is knowingly concerned with the promotion of bingo (being bingo which is or may be chargeable with bingo duty) where the promoter is not registered by the Commissioners in accordance with paragraph 10 above; or

(b) is knowingly concerned with the combination of any game of bingo with other bingo contrary to section 19(2) of this Act,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable—

(i) on summary conviction to a penalty of the prescribed sum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both; or

(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a penalty of any amount or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.

(3) Any person who—

(a) contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this Part of this Schedule or of regulations, or

(b) fails to comply with any requirement made of him by or under any such provision,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a penalty of [F21 level 5 on the standard scale].

(4) Where a person is convicted under sub-paragraph (3) above in respect of a failure to comply with any provision of this Part of this Schedule or of regulations and the failure continues after the conviction, he shall be guilty of a further offence under that sub-paragraph and may on conviction be punished accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F20 Words substituted by Finance Act 1988 (c. 39, SIF 40:1), s. 12(1)(c)(6)

F21 Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G

17 (1) If a justice of the peace or, in Scotland, a justice (within the meaning of section 462 of the M8 Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975) is satisfied on information on oath that there is reasonable ground for suspecting that an offence under paragraph 16 above is being, has been, or is about to be committed on any premises, he may issue a warrant in writing authorising any officer to enter those premises (if necessary by force) at any time within [F22 one month] from the time of the issue of the warrant and search them.

(2) An officer who enters premises under the authority of such a warrant may—

(a) seize and remove any books, records, accounts, documents, money or valuable thing, and any instrument, device, apparatus or other thing whatsoever found on the premises, which he has reasonable cause to believe may be required as evidence for the purposes of proceedings in respect of such an offence, and

(b) search any person found on the premises whom he has reasonable cause to believe to be concerned with the promotion of bingo or, as the case may be, with the management of any premises used for the purpose of playing bingo.

Textual Amendments

F22 Words substituted by Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60, SIF 95), s. 119, Sch. 6 Pt. II para. 39(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Sch. 3 para. 17(2) powers of seizure extended (1.4.2003) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 50, 55-55, 68, 138(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 28; S.I. 2003/708, art. 2(a)(j)

C3 Power(s) of seizure extended (1.4.2003) by Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (c. 16), ss. 50, 52-54, 68, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 para. 28; S.I. 2003/708, art. 2(a)(c)(j)

Marginal Citations

M8 1975 c. 21(39:1).