Sunday, April 15, 2007

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U.K. poker clubs to challenge Gambling Act

By Christopher Hunt

U.K. news source The Observer is reporting poker clubs in the country are none-to-pleased with the upcoming September introduction of the Gambling Act and are stepping up plans to challenge it.

Unhappy with a number of new regulations in the legislation - among them the limiting of daily membership fees to £3 and the forcing of poker clubs to now obtain casino licenses - The Observer reports the U.K. Poker Clubs Association (UKPCA) has begun the process of taking legal action.

A trade association will be formed next week, top legal advisors have been put on the payroll and top U.K. public relations firm, Citigate, has been hired to help lobby for their cause.

"The imposition of casino licences on poker clubs," Geoff Owen, chairman of the UKPCA, told the paper, "is neither appropriate nor fair and could result in the closure of many clubs.

"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."

The U.K. Poker Clubs Association represents 72,000 members.

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