Borough council warns residents of care home over £1 stake bingo

Redditch Borough Council has warned residents of a care home for elderly people to stop playing bingo for cash prizes.

The council said the customary game at Harry Taylor House of residents staking £1 each making up a pot that formed a prize was contrary to the Gambling Act 2005.

Residents have protested that the game was harmless entertainment given the small sums involved.

A council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have not cancelled any social gatherings at Harry Taylor House and appreciate that this is a long standing tradition for many of the residents which we would not wish to negate.

“What we have asked is that residents do not play bingo for cash prizes as they may not be conforming to the law.

“The Gambling Act 2005 makes it very clear that you cannot charge for participation in the game and that in turn the prizes cannot be made up of moneys paid to participate.”

The council said it had made contact with a number of groups with similar games and “unfortunately some have decided not to continue as a result - even though they can still play for fun”.

Mark Smulian