Illegal poker game organizers will be looking over their shoulders
after the UK Gambling Commission contacted local authorities and law
enforcement agencies throughout the country last week, advising them
to take action against illegal poker games that have sprung up in
the wake of the game's global popularity.
The communication stressed the two most important messages associated
with the new U.K. Gambling Act: that an establishment is prohibited
from running poker games or tournaments without the appropriate permits,
and that poker events cannot be used to attract customers to the establishment.
Gambling Commission director of operations, Phill Brear, said a majority
of the games currently being run in the U.K. are illegal under the
laws laid down by the Gambling Act. He also said that players are
losing large amounts of money at poker games run by crooked operators.
The Gambling Commission hopes to raise awareness on the situation
and help poker enthusiasts understand their rights. They are also
urging players to compete only in poker games at establishments that
are supervised and properly licensed under the new laws.