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Uk Poker Clubs Reject Regulation
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.
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