UK set for landmark poker case

2006-12-28 14:31:01

A new court case over a London poker venue's right to exist could hold some interesting implications for the industry as a whole, it has been suggested.

Next week the Gutshot Card Club will go to court in a battle to stay open, with one poker expert advising that the case's definition of terms may be a crucial factor in the decision.

An article credited to the pseudonym 'Catman' on the Pokernews website reveals that the Gutshot owners may use an earlier case, that of the Concord Card Room in Vienna, as a precedent.

The Concord was victorious in its battle to stay open after a nine year long legal battle, with the question of whether or not poker is a game of skill central to the dispute.

While the problem was not officially resolved, the fact that Concord won its case tilts the balance in favour of poker being adjudged to be a game of skill, the author suggests.

Any such ruling could have the ability to influence future gambling legislation in Europe and beyond, should a consensus be reached. Much of the recent legislation, including the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in America, has focused solely on games of chance.


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