Responsible Play

1. Our Commitment

PokerPals promotes poker that is social, welcoming, fair and enjoyable.

• Players must be aged 18 or over.
• Games must be operated fairly and responsibly.
• Players should be treated with respect.
• Cheating, collusion and intimidation are not permitted.
• Venues must follow applicable laws and licence conditions.

2. Venue and Organiser Responsibilities

Venues and organisers should:

• Nominate a responsible person to supervise games.
• Prevent anyone under 18 from participating.
• Explain costs, prizes and rules clearly.
• Intervene if behaviour becomes unsafe or abusive.
• Never pressure someone to continue playing.
• Record results honestly and accurately.

3. Staying in Control

Players should make sure poker remains affordable and enjoyable.

• Set clear time and spending limits.
• Never use money needed for bills or essentials.
• Do not try to recover losses by continuing to play.
• Take regular breaks.
• Stop if poker is no longer enjoyable.
• Avoid playing while upset or heavily intoxicated.

4. Warning Signs

It may be time to seek help if poker or gambling is:

• Causing financial difficulty or debt.
• Creating problems at home or work.
• Being hidden from family or friends.
• Being used to escape stress or low mood.
• Leading to repeated attempts to win back losses.

5. Independent Support

Confidential help and information are available from:

You can also speak to your GP, Citizens Advice or someone you trust.

6. Refusal or Suspension

A venue may refuse or stop participation where reasonably necessary for safety, legal compliance or fair play.

PokerPals may suspend players, organisers or venues that repeatedly breach responsible-play standards.

7. Contact Us

Concerns about a PokerPals game can be sent to: