UK POKER CLUBS REJECT REGULATION

22 June 2007

High Court action launched in bid to reverse regulation plans by the government

The UK Poker Clubs Association was poised to carry out its April threat to litigate against government moves to regulate it as we went to press this week. The Financial Times reported that the clubs, representing 72 000 players across 14 organisations intend to lodge an application for a judicial review in the High Court in London today (Friday) to halt government regulatory plans.

The action comes only days after the British Casino Association's High Court challenge to the government's super-casino plans failed.

According to the FT report, the Association says that the 2005 Gambling Act, which comes into full effect in September, favours establishments like casinos, where poker is offered as an ancillary activity.

The row has been brewing sinced April this year (see previous InfoPowa report), when The Guardian reported that dissatisfaction with the Gambling Act had led to the formation of the UK Poker Clubs Association and plans to engage top legal advice and Citigate as a lobbyist.

Poker clubs are reported to be furious that the Gambling Act, which comes into force this September, limits the daily membership fee they are allowed to charge to GBP 3. This, they argue, restricts the prizes they can offer to players in tournaments and prevents them offering wider services to members. The act also places poker clubs in the same category as casinos, forcing them to obtain a casino licence.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa