Setting up a Poker Room

[thetank]

Yeah, scratch badminton from that list

But snooker/pool, are these sports?

[Nem]

Yeah, scratch badminton from that list

But snooker/pool, are these sports?

Does Tigmong like Coco?

[thetank]

I like Wheetos at the moment.

Anyway, my point was that the definition of a sport is very arbitary.

[Bongo]

Poker is shown on skysports, therefore it is exempt.

sorted!

[mikkyT]

When the probable court ruling about poker becomes overturned in 2007 due to this new legal definition of "games of equal chance", I can see a new challenge being brought up. Poker is a sport! If darts or snooker can be classed as sports, and chess can be legally played for money - then why can't poker be classed as a sport and as such have no legislation under the new laws.

Hmm, minefield methinks

[Wardonkey]

If you run a poker club for profit without a casino license then you may very well be breaking the law.

Will you be prosecuted? Probably not, at the moment. The police have better things to do and the gaming board commission do not have the resources to go after every club. They have picked the biggest and the best prepared to test the legal waters (Gutshot).

The gaming board/commission takes the view that these clubs are illegal (with the possible exception of Roy Houghton's new club).  They are currently prosecuting Gutshot under the 1968 act. If this prosecution is successful then no doubt existing clubs will face prosecution also under the 1968 act as this is the law that they have been breaking.

When the new act is implemented fully then clubs will have to comply with the new law. The new law is clearer there seems to be less room for interpretation. The new law is intended to make organising poker games for profit illegal outside a casino. There may be a way round this, but I can't see it.

[mikkyT]

if the original poster wants to set up a poker club on the basis of not for profit - eg to have a place to play with his mates, then i think its entirely doable.

[thetank]

I've got one of them Mikky, I call it a living room.

Don't think that's quite what he had in mind.

[mikkyT]

Yeah but its not a proper club is it lol

Anyway, I think this is quite interesting, from the Daily record report on the Cincinnati Club raid:

"When we obtained our drinks licence we also had to gain the approval of the Gambling Commission, which was no problem. I'm mystified as to what their motivation in this is.

The gaming board officials APPROVED the cincinnati club before it opened. But yet they still raided the club and seized its assets. So the gaming board approves Roy Houghtons club - does not mean to say it is legal.

[thetank]

If a club gets raided, that's not to say it's illegal either.

My living room is illegal, I smoke in my place of work

[mikkyT]

If a club gets raided, that's not to say it's illegal either.

My living room is illegal, I smoke in my place of work

Agreed. On both counts

[damon]

Roy Houghton - in his interview with UK Poker News website - says he's been to the Police, the Gaming Commission and the Council to clear the way, presumably using lawyers. If that is not reassurance, then nothing is. But then again, perhaps he'll be done by a one-outer!

His words were:

"We've spent a lot of time and trouble going to the Gaming Commission, the City of London, the City of London Police and it's all been done. In other words, we're starting a private members club, the facilities are totally free of charge, we are not taking rake or table money."

http://uk.pokernews.com/news/2006/9/roy-houghton-interview-pt2.htm

I would only advise Roy and anyone wanting to start a Poker club,that they make sure any go ahead is giving in writing from GBGB,Police and Local council,as I do know that many Gaming Board officials contradict one another.

The Cincinnati Club was giving the go ahead,and then raided by those people who gave it the go ahead.
The Service charge is not illegal...saying that,there has to be a service i.e complimentary drinks snacks or buffet.

The new laws are trying to make it impossible for private clubs to survive i.e for the use of a club,the maximum a guest can be charged 60p per day.
Maximum tournament buy-in 4GBP...maximum prize 400GBP.

saying that if the people are happy with the club they play in and want to help keep it open,I reckon a service charge is the best way around these stupid laws,and that could mean...

Eat as much as you want buffet
Drink as much as you want(non alchoholic)
Parking included
Dealers and so on

There is definetley nothing in the Gaming law stating how much a service charge should be...it could be the MOST EXPENSIVE BUFFET IN TOWN...

The tournaments buy ins remain a restricted,but you still have a place you want to play poker.

With ref to MikkyT's views, I suspect they are promoting it as a more general leisure place. Either they have good advice or they should have spoken to someone else!

[kentishman]

 
Hi All,
I have read with interest the discussion on the opening of a poker club,and some sound comments have been made.
However can I put matters in perspective.The Loose Cannon Sports Bar and VC PLayers Lounge is totally legal.
A very considerable amount of money has been spent on top lawyers( experts on the Gaming Act) and as I have stated all relevant authorities have been approached for approval.
Our club is NOT A POKER CLUB, BUT A GAMES ROOM. We will be hosting backgammon tourneys, kalooki tourneys,rummy tourneys, poker tourneys and other card events.
THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR TOURNAMENTS, NO REG FEE, 100% PAID BACK TO PLAYERS.FOR CASH GAMES NO CHARGE OR RAKE AT ALL.
I KNOW I MUST BE MAD BUT THIS IS BEING DONE FOR THE LOVE OF GAMES OF SKILL,WHICH POKER IS,AS ARE ALL OTHER GAMES WE HAVE THERE.
WE do not come under the auspices of the Gaming Commission, they themselves have written to us,and informed us of this.It is the City of London Licencing office to whom we are responsible,and they are quite happy to accept the fact it will be a private members club.
We open now on the 23rd October, and very much hope that what we are hosting will be to the benefit of all players who enjoy a GAME OF SKILL.
a LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT BY THE INVESTORS, SO THE LEGAL ADVICE ETC. HAD BETTER BE RIGHT.
These clubs have to be properley controlled,and we very much hope that legislation and the authorities will continue to have certain rules in place as to the opening of these clubs.
I am now going to bed, goodnight all.
Roy Houghton