On 6th June 1894, following a police raid, fifteen or sixteen people had been taken to the Police Station and three were convicted of gambling. Bookmaker Beevor was fined £15, his clerk, George Gowing, fined £10 and John Thompson, licence holder, fined £20 for allowing gambling on the premises.

In October 1894, a new manager, W. G. Everard was put in the house.

On 13th May 1895, it was heard that the bar, billiard room and smoke room had been used between April 22nd and 4th May 1895, by two men ( George Gowen and Robert Tubby) in the employ of Beevor for the purpose of betting. They were consequently fined £20 and £10 respectively and Everard was fined £10 and £3 3s costs. It was proved that the barman kept betting slips under the counter for the customers to write their name, detail their bet and to wrap money, then to be taken to the bookmakers. The conviction was to be recorded on the licence.
It was reported 6th July 1895 that at the Quarter Sessions held Monday 1st July 1895 that upon appeal by William Everard, the conviction was upheld, but the endorsement (to licence) should be cancelled.

On Wednesday 14th August 1895, Edwin John Townsend applied for a temporary endorsement of the licence of the Yare Hotel, Howard Street. The Mayor granted the application, advising Mr. Townsend to be careful how he conducted the house.
Renewal was refused at the the next meeting.

At the Norfolk Quarter Session on Wednesday 16th October 1895, E. J. Townsend appealed against the refusal, by the Mayor and Justices of Yarmouth, to renew the licence. The grounds for appeal were that 1. Mr. Townsend was a fit and proper person to hold the licence, 2. the refusal was unreasonable and should be reversed, 3. the refusal had been based upon a written objection against the previous license holder, not him, 4. the last conviction was dated 20th May 1895 against Mr. Grice and his licence had been cancelled 1st July 1895, 5.there was no conviction then standing against the house, 6. that the circumstances of the house had totally changed in conduct and management of the house, and 7. renewal of licence would be a convenience to the public.
Mr. Townsend said it had cost him £300 to go into the Yare. William Everard said he was a traveller for Messrs. Allsopp and was absent from the house all day through. He had been convicted on the actions of the barman, called Wright.
Brewers Allsopp said that they had put Everard in on a temporary basis and were well satisfied with Mr. Townsend. Both men were of impeccable character, but the house had a bad reputation. Everard had been put in the house to suppress the gambling, but had not succeeded. Betting went on week after week with fish hawkers, chimney sweeps and gardeners betting there all day.
The Chairman said the unanimous opinion was that the decision of the Yarmouth magistrates should stand.

On Monday 9th December 1895, Messrs Allsopp were to sell by auction, the entire Household Furniture and Utensils In Trade of the Yare Tavern.

On Thursday 20th August 1896, Edwin John Townsend, licence holder of the FLEUR De LYS, applied for an alehouse licence for the YARE TAVERN, Howard Street.
The licence had been removed  a year previously, owing to prosecutions for betting.
In spite of the good character of Mr. Townsend, promises to carry out any alterations required and everything being done to restore the name of the house, the application was refused. It was noted that Frederick Wright was still retained at the house, but solely because he was supporting his widowed mother and the mistaken kindness of the owners, Messrs. Allsopp.

Became the DEVONSHIRE HOTEL by 1898.

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