Police play down pub poker

A leading poker league operator is very upset with West Mercia police after a letter was sent to licensees, which they claim deterred them from taking part in competitions. Poker is increasingly popular and pubs all over the country are keen to cash in on the public interest. But it is the gaming element that causes the problems.

Last July, the Gambling Commission sent out a very negative, revised Guidance document about gaming on alcohol-licensed premises. The Gaming Board was always very down on both equal chance gaming and bingo in pubs, and advised the justices accordingly. But this document took the issue one stage further, and may have heavily influenced the current police attitude.

Let me make it quite clear: poker played for points rather than cash or prizes is not gaming. It is only when there is some element of

playing for money or money's worth that any of the Gambling Commission's warnings come into effect.

Unfortunately, the Commission introduced the question of side bets or "settling up afterwards" into the equation, suggesting that this meant that poker should not be allowed, because it could lead to "exploitation and disorder". Just what its justification for this was not made clear, because my own experience of poker league does not lead me to this conclusion. But it obviously sent a clear message to the police and to licensing authorities - poker is bad news.

But now what happens? In January, the Department for Culture Media & Sport, the casino kings, issued a consultation paper on gaming in licensed premises under the new law. While paying lip-service to the Commission's views, they nonetheless considered "we have no wish to prevent, or constrain unreasonably, low-risk gaming activities" (among which they include poker played for prizes or trophies).

So poker will be allowed in pubs after September this year, if the consultation is accepted, with a personal limit of £5 per game, a prize limit of £100 per day or £500 per week.

As I previously commented, this places a further burden on the hapless licensee to count the nuggets on each and every table to ensure that the limits are not being breached. But in the case of leagues for points, this should not be a problem, and the prize or trophy can stay well within the limits.