Victory for Danish poker

Author: Simon Dexter

Are poker enthusiasts beginning to get the upper hand on mainland Europe? Across the continent, several governments are terrified that their state-run gaming organisations will lose their monopoly grip (and billions in what is effectively a leisure time tax) when the inevitable eventually happens. This week, there was a major victory in Denmark for those who abhor the state’s perennial interference in our lives when the Danish Poker Federation won their case at the country’s Supreme Court. The court found that tournament poker in privately-owned Danish clubs is legal.

A few months ago, Denmark’s second highest legal body, the Landsretten, voted against legalisation, a decision that was applied with immediate effect and which led to this week’s successful appeal by Frederik Hostrup and the Danish Poker Federation. Following their victory, the country’s Supreme Court will now consider the matter.

”This is a good day for Danish poker,” said a delighted Hostrup. “It can make a big difference for everyone who loves poker.”

Now the matter has been referred to the Supreme Court, private clubs may once again organise their own tournaments. Lawyers believe it would be a major surprise if the Supreme Court failed to confirm the decision to legalise poker in Denmark. They also feel it is an important case capable of having an impact in other EU countries where the state continues to wield enormous, Orwellian-style power over poker players.

Tags: Danish Poker Federation, Denmark, poker law

This entry was posted on Friday, May 16th, 2008 at 10:05 am and is filed under News & Promotions Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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