Denmark Reverse Earlier Poker Ruling

Denmark Reverse Earlier Poker Ruling

Wednesday, 9 January 2008

‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,’ said Marcellus in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. It looks like he might have got it in one. Once again, the question of skill and chance in poker has reared its ugly head, as the eastern division of the Danish

‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,’ said Marcellus in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. It looks like he might have got it in one. Once again, the question of skill and chance in poker has reared its ugly head, as the eastern division of the Danish High Court has overturned a previous ruling from a lesser court that tournament poker was a game of skill. Now, according to the Danish courts, poker is a game of chance, and is now subject to Denmark’s gambling laws.
The decision will be a major blow to the Danish Poker Association and its president, Frederik Hostrup. After the ruling, their activities are in breach of the Danish Criminal Code. Hostrup has already been sued by hotel and restaurant trade organisation Horesta, who acted on behalf of Danish casinos who opposed what they felt were illegal gambling events.
Hostrup had claimed that he wasn’t guilty as poker is not gambling and more of a game of skill. His attorney, Henrik Hoffman told the Danish press earlier that 'There are between 200,000 and 300,000 Danes who play poker at least once a week and more than half a million who play on a regular basis.'
An appeal to the Supreme Court has been launched.



Tags: Poker News, Denmark, Reverse, Earlier, Poker, Ruling