Monday, Nov. 20, 2006

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U.K. gov't considers poker in pubs

By Erin Warner

A pint and a game of poker might be in the cards for British pubs, if its government rules to allow small-stakes games in bars this autumn.

The U.K. is reportedly considering permitting small-stakes gambling on poker games, provided customer loss would be capped at £10 in an evening. Currently, pubs are banned from directly collecting a profit from gambling, but owners report booming clientele on the game nights.

Anticipating the fall ruling, many British pub owners have signed up for poker leagues that operate within current legislation by playing for points, rather than cash.

Current 38-year-old legislation allows small-stakes gambling in pubs, but only when betting on cribbage or dominos. Under the new gambling act, slated to come into play by September, 2007, games such as bridge, whist, cribbage, dominos and poker will be allowed in drinking establishments when permission is acquired from the proper authorities.

As the popularity of poker continues to rise, Britain's Gambling Commission is also attempting to clean out commercial poker dens, which profit from games by accepting a fee for play or by taking rake from the pot.

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