Poker Play for Cash to be OK in UK Pubs

Move over dominoes and cribbage!

Pubs in England and Wales will be able to hold poker games for real money when The Gambling Act of 2005 goes into effect next fall.

At this time, only pubs with a special permit from their local council are allowed to play poker for cash.

Pubs without permits usually play for points instead of cash. But under the new Gambling Act, pubs won't need a permit to host cash poker games.

As reported by the UK Sunday Times: "The government is paving the way for a gambling bonanza in Britain's pubs by easing restrictions on playing card games including poker for money in bars."

A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport denied this yesterday, saying, "The Government does not believe that permitting people to play poker for very small stakes- we are talking about a few pounds per head- poses a risk to any of the three objectives of the Gambling Act: protecting the vulnerable, keeping out crime and keeping games fair."

Although only 'low' stakes or prizes will be allowed to ensure games stay on a non-commercial basis, there is no clear definition what that amount is. Some guess it will be around 10 pounds. The Government plans to meet early next year to decide what level of stake will be allowed.

But note, the Gambling Act restricts pubs from getting a direct financial gain from hosting card games. So pubs, for example, cannot charge players entry fees or membership dues.

But given poker's popularity, pubs are already flocking to poker leagues in anticipation that regular cash poker events next year will bring them additional bar business, beyond what poker games for points net them at present.

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