UK Poker Clubs Going After Government

The UK’s Gambling Act, which takes effect this September, has raised the ire of poker clubs around the country.  They are so mad that they are forming the UK Poker Clubs Association and considering legal action. 

The clubs’ issues with the Act are twofold.  First, the act restricts the daily membership fee clubs can charge to only £3.  The inability by poker clubs to charge a higher fee, they say, unfairly limits the prizes they can offer, as well as hurts their ability to offer other amenities and services.  All this, one would assume, will potentially damage business, as the clubs will not be as attractive to players.  The clubs’ second beef is that the Act categorizes a poker club just like a casino, thus forcing a club to acquire a casino license.   

Said Geoff Owen, chairman of the UK Poker Clubs Association, “The imposition of casino licences on poker clubs is neither appropriate nor fair and could result in the closure of many clubs.” 

Owen also added that the Act could do more harm than good to the citizens of the UK.  “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.”

Originally published 9:16 PM Monday, April 16, 2007