Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007

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Swedish poker hosts face imprisonment

By Erik Sylven

Six people involved in hosting the Europan Poker Challenge in Grebbestad, Sweden, have been charged under Swedish gambling laws. If convicted, they face up to four years in prison.

The Europan Poker Challenge was raided by police in March of this year. Seven hundred people had paid the €250 buy-in to play in the tournament, which was held in a conference center in Grebbestad.

According to prosecutor Linn Scholander, the event was illegal. In Sweden, you need a permit from the authorities to arrange a poker tournament of this magnitude.

Two individuals in charge of the event, two from a gaming company co-hosting the tournament and two responsible for renting out the conference center have been charged under Swedish gambling laws.

"This is one of the largest cases of its kind," said Linn Scholander to Swedish newspaper GöteborgsTidningen.

The accused are facing between six months' and four years' imprisonment. All six claim to be innocent.

The trial will be held in the city of Uddevalla in November.

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