UK Court of Appeal Rules Poker Is Not a Game of Skill

Angus MacKenzie reports for Eurosport that the Court of Appeal of England and Wales has determined that luck predominates over skill in the game of poker, and so poker is subject to the regulation of the UK's Gaming Act of 1968.

Derek Kelly was found guilty of breaking the Gaming Act because a club he operated, the Gutshot Private Members Club, charged entry fees for the Texas hold'em poker tournaments it hosted. Kelly appealed, asserting that poker is a game of skill like chess or bridge, and should be treated under the law in the same way. The Court of Appeal heard Kelly's argument, but ruled against him.

The element of skill in poker is the basis of its legality in licensed cardrooms in California.

Had the Court of Appeal ruled in Kelly's favor, this would have opened the way for private clubs to offer poker games and tournaments to their members. As it is, poker is limited to casinos licensed under the Gaming Act.

Tags: poker law court gambling gaming chance skill uk