More Bad Beats for the Government

Author: Simon Dexter

Soon after backtracking on their controversial super casino plan, the government faces more possible embarrassment as UK poker clubs launch possible legal action.

The UK Poker Clubs Association (UKPCA) has hired a PR specialist and will begin the legal action if the government does not back down on legislation in the new Gambling Bill.

The association which claims to represent over 75,000 members want to see changes to the bill which would force them from being able to charge no more than £3 per day to belong to a club.

The government’s insistence that all poker clubs would have to apply for casino licences has infuriated it members.

“The attraction of poker, and in particular Texas Hold ‘Em has spawned an explosion of young players who are not essentially gamblers,” said Geoff Owen, chairman of the UKPCA.

Owen sees poker more of a game of skill than luck and points to the type of players taking part in tournaments.

“To these players poker is a game of skill that uses attributes necessary to thrive in today’s modern business world,” he added.

“Body language, psychology, mathematics and the ability to keep a cool head are all elements of poker. It is no surprise that every university now seems to have a poker society.”

The association believes the imposition of the need to have a licence may see many of these clubs closing down and the possibility that back street poker dens may become more common.

He continued: “The imposition of casino licences on poker clubs is neither appropriate nor fair and could result in the closure of many clubs.

“In its current form, the Gambling Act could also result in a rise in online poker activity and unregulated “underground” poker, as players seek venues away from a casino environment.”

It is ironic that the very thing the government is trying to control – illegal gambling – could become the norm if the badly thought out bill comes into law.

In January this year, the owner of the Gutshot Club in London lost a case in the high courts where he argued that poker was a game of skill rather than luck and should therefore not be included in the new Gambling Act.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 11th, 2007 at 2:41 pm and is filed under Poker News.

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