This is what happens now:
14th August - we send all dtd evidence for case to Gala, Stanley and LCI lawyers (ie. the objectors)
28th August - 2 weeks later - casinos send back their evidence against us
17th September - Magistrates see all evidence for the first time
24th - 27th September - the hearing takes place with all 4 parties putting forward their arguments (well 3 versus 1 lol)
Thanks you to all the people who have kindly posted on the thread http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=26310.195 , although there a few comments on there that may upset the casinos, thats life, they have made the choice to try and stop a "poker only" club operating poker outside of a casino, so i won't sehd any tears lol
Our evidence is very strong in my view, here are some examples of what we will submit on the 14th August:
1. Letter from the Chariman of the UK Gambling Commission
(I am told this is the first time ever that the UK Gambling Commission has shown written support for any application)
2. Letters for the WPT and EPT explaining how the capacity at dtd makes major poker comps possible in the UK
(plus 5 other poker bodies inc APAT)
3. Another various 25 letters from the poker media (online and offline) supporting the demand for the club
4. Over 500 poker players responses in support of dtd (200 on the Blondepoker thread)
5. Over 5000 members who have already joined the club through http://www.dtdpoker.com/live/
6. Letters for TV companies wanting to use the club due to its, eg. Sunset & Vine
7. Key individuals' witness statements
Overall, I'm very happy with what we have done, the core dtd team have worked very hard in putting this together but I'm sure the objectors will have a field day in pulling it to bits, that's there, but hey, its just the truth that I am putting forward.
IMO there is without any shadow of a doubt sufficient additional demand for this venue and I am willing to fight hammer and tooth to make sure a common sense decision is made, even if it will be 3 of them against one of me.
I have diarised to watch a few licencing cases up and down the country, I want to see how the legal teams of these casinos operate in the court room. I am aware of the barristers they will be using against us (slick, polished and very good at manipulation), but I think seeing these experts in action is a good idea before I have to get on the stand in front of them.
Roll on the day when we can all start talking a poker club that is actually open, instead of having to spend so much of our time justifying why we should be allowed to open........
thanks again for all your support, every post on the hearing thread helps me
