PokerQueens.co.uk

m4rkie · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 360

Me and Anton talked about Gutshot being in courts for breaching the 1968 Gaming Act - the argument being that it's a game of skill rather than chance.

Here's an article from the Times of a club in Belfast - the laws there are probably slightly different - nevertheless the club owner couldn't convince the magistrate that poker is a game of skill:

http://timesonline.typepad.com/poker/2006/02/belfast_clampdo.html

m4rkie · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 360

US Congress are trying to tighten up the US Wire Act in order to cover online gambling. The US army will probably have to invade places like Gibraltar to enforce them..!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20060218/tc_nf/41711

Anton · Site Admin Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 306

m4rkie · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 360

Could this pave the way for poker clubs? The Cavendish in Belfast has been allowed to reopen..

http://www.thecavendishclub.com

m4rkie · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 360

This article published today concerns our games.

The most relevant part is about 2/3 of the way down, where it says that "leagues - where players compete for points rather than cash - are a legal grey area, the commission admits, as the organisers often offer prizes in the later stages."

And does the heads-up tourney buy-in count as a "high stake"?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5171696.stm

_____________________

Also this (published yesterday), particularly the second paragraph:

http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/client/news/pressrelease_detail.asp?Id=19

Also

http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/client/news/pressrelease_detail.asp?Id=14

Perhaps we should find out how legal our games are before a new league?

Anton · Site Admin Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 306

From an interview with Phil Brear (director of operations at the Gambling Commision) in this months Poker Player magazine.

He was talking about the illegality of playing poker for money in pubs and was asked

"What about private members clubs?"

He replied

"If it properly constitutes a private members club with rules and a proper licence, it's possible for you to play as if you're at home. At home you can play poker to your hearts content. The private club isn't allowed to take a rake off the pot, but if it's a genuine club with a membership you can play poker without a limit on stake."

From the horses mouth then. We could play for money in the bar if we wanted to as long as there isn't a rake!

A

m4rkie · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 360

Lines 10 and 11 appear to cover what he says:
http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/UploadDocs/pressrelease/Documents/Gambling%20Commission%20poker%20guidance.pdf

The law does seem to be a bit vague!

m4rkie · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 360

The latest bit of news that may well have effects on poker websites..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5189906.stm

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1823193,00.html

m4rkie · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 360

William Hill have just stopped taking bets from the US:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5385284.stm

m4rkie · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 360

The US government has now formally made processing payments to online gaming sites illegal; it will come into force in next couple of weeks.

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1885577,00.html

Though (and obviously it doesn't directly concern any of us!) e-wallets like neteller could be a way round it?

m4rkie · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 360

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6120024.stm

Helen · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 150 Location: London

Gutshot owner, chairman of Gutshot, in the dock:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,29389-2541373,00.html

hurleyp · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 156

anyone have any idea how long this case is likely to last?

i have a feeling they might lose. don't you think the ordinary man or woman on the street who has no knowledge of poker might well agree that there is a lot of luck involved - and this define it as a 'game of chance'.

the opening prosecution argument seems strong.

the actual issue isn't whether it contravenes the law or not, it's that the law is in this case an ass: too outdated and irrelevant to today's world.

ChrisL · Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 152 Location: London

I think the Chairman of Gutshot should just play a few games of poker with the jury.
If he wins em all, he's not guilty.
If he loses, then he's goin' down.

Now THAT would make great poker tv!
_________________
"Look into my eyes, look into my eyes..."

m4rkie · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 360

On the BBC website.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6248553.stm

I was sitting next to Derek in Monday's game. He was, er, gambling a bit!

They might lose because general public perception is that it's gambling. Though I think this case will go on for a while as the government stands to make money out of the growth of gaming; what with the imminent so-called super-casino for example. The government line from Tessa Jowell is for what she calls "regulation" rather than prohibition.