In my area there is a local community hall which my partners father helps run as a local MEP, and is asking for clubs to use it to attract people to our small area for the local shops etc.

The hall is used by many clubs, like dance class and similar.

My question is, as it is free most weeknights, can I setup a few poker tables in there for cash like 1/1 or 1/2 of which I would "NOT" be taking any rake!

I simply want to set it up for 2 reasons.
1. The local community hall was saved some time ago and needs clubs to be run in there to prove to the council it's worthy, so I would be helping on that matter, plus bringing small trade to the local shops.
2. I simply want to play some cash poker, I don't want to profit from running it, just want somewhere to play without having to drive 4-5 hours to london just to do so.

So if anyone can help on the laws, I know for a fact, you cannot setup a poker room and use it for profit, IE: rake, entry fees and so on, which I am not going to do.

But what are the laws then if I am not going to take a rake or profit from the running of the room?

As long as the max buyin is less than 8 quid per player per day I think you'll be fine.....

http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk...r-toolkit.aspx has a lot of good info.

I see, so it would work better with something like maybe a 5p/10p table with £8 buy in, not my usual live stakes but it's better than nothing at all.

Where do you live? Must be some more local cash games within 4-5 hours of London?

In Dorset, closest is Bournemouth (1h 30mins) and it's just reg heavy there, in an awful location so not many drunks stroll in from the clubs etc, terrible casino. Southampton a further 45mins-1hour from there, is not too bad, but travelling all that way to mostly have only 1 table open, even on weekend nights. Portsmouth another 35-40mins further from there, again only ever 1-2 tables max, reg heavy and is dead gone by midnight.