Government faces court as poker row heats up

2007-06-15 16:28:15

The UK Poker Clubs Association (UKPCA) is applying for a judicial review against the Gambling Act 2006, due to come into force on September 1st, it has emerged.

It claims the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has acted unfairly by excluding poker from the "prescribed" classification that covers games like whist and bridge.

This means that poker clubs will only be allowed to charge £1 per player and can offer a pool that is worth no more than £1,000 each week.

"We believe that the British public should be able to play it in dedicated poker clubs, specifically tailored for playing poker in a safe, regulated, value for money and non-casino focused environment," stated UKPCA chairman Geoff Owen.

The association has called upon the government and the Gambling Commission to end the "irrational" treatment of the poker industry.

This comes days after the high court ruled against the British Casino Association's claim that the Gambling Act could damage gambling businesses already in operation.



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