U.K. Gambling Commission cracks down on illegal poker

The U.K. Gambling Commission has contacted local authorities and law enforcement agencies throughout the United Kingdom in an effort to crack down on illegal poker games.

According to reports, the Commission has issued letters to local police forces, officials and licensees stressing the two most important messages associated with the new U.K. Gambling Act.

The first is that an establishment is prohibited from running poker games or tournaments without the appropriate permits, and the second is that poker events cannot be used to attract customers to the establishment.

Gambling Commission director of operations, Phill Brear, said a majority of the games currently being run in the U.K. are illegal under the laws laid down by the Gambling Act. He also said that players are losing large amounts of money at poker games run by crooked operators.

The Gambling Commission hopes to raise awareness about the situation and help poker enthusiasts understand their rights. They are also urging players to only compete in poker games at establishments that are supervised and properly licensed under the new laws.