UK Pub Poker 'Misunderstanding 2005 Gambling Act'

UK Pub Poker 'Misunderstanding 2005 Gambling Act'

Wednesday, 22 October 2008

Britain's North East Lincolnshire Council has commented that pubs hosting poker nights are risking their licenses by not fully understanding the 2005 Gambling Act.

The act, which allowed UK pubs to host poker games for the first time, states there is a £5 maximum stake per person and £100 maximum stake per pub a day, making the biggest event permitted 20 players at £5 per head. These rules are being ignored, a move which the council believes is dangeous for publicans. "People who breach the law are risking their livelihoods. It's not a gamble worth taking”, said a statement from the council.

Councilor Steve Beasant said: "Landlords and licensees should be aware of their responsibilities when it comes to the law of the land. Hosting a poker night might pull in the punters but it's important to stick to the law".
The one thing that has to be noted is that pub poker has created so many new enthusiasts can only be considered a good thing for the poker industry on the whole. The likes of The Nuts Poker League have been offering new players an affordable way to learn the game in a friendly setting up and down the country, playing the game for the sheer thrill of bluffing and having a good time. Perhaps it is time for those who make the rules to realise that, in a huge majority of cases, pub poker is one of the best things to have happened to British poker.



Tags: Poker News, UK, Pub, Poker, 'Misunderstanding, 2005, Gambling, Act'