Poker News – The UK Gambling Commission is targeting illegal poker clubs across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom in its latest campaign to curtail what is considered to be unlawful gambling.
Under the terms of the Gambling Act 2005, members’ clubs can allow poker at them, but there are various restrictions in place depending on whether the venue has a gaming permit in place or not. There are also strict guidelines limiting stakes, fees and prizes, while the main purpose of the club cannot be gambling.
Investigations by local authorities resulted in three members’ clubs having to stop their poker activities after it was deemed they were acting outside of current laws.
Since July 2012, 10 clubs have either closed their doors completely or halted all poker activity. The most famous case was that of the International Private Members Club who folded when Hackney Council ruled the popular club would need an expensive full gaming licence to continue operating.
Nick Tofiluk, the Commission’s Director of Regulatory Operations, spoke of the recent spate of closures. “These ten cases show local authorities have the means and the determination to tackle concerns about illegal poker in whatever guise it is presented.”
