Its been claimed that the gambling act set to be introduced in September will benefit online poker sites rather that actual poker clubs in the United Kingdom.
The opinion was expressed by Geoff Owen of the UK Poker Clubs Association (UKPCA) and he added “In its current form, the Gambling Act could result in a rise in online poker activity and unregulated underground poker as players seek venues away from a casino environment.”
As part of the act a poker club daily membership minimum rate of £3 will apply and poker clubs will need to have a casino licence.
These proposals have been lambasted by the UKPCA who have over 72,000 members spread across the U.K.
Geoff Owen who is Chairman of the Association said his group who challenge the Government all the way on the proposals piling more pressure on Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.
He said “ The imposition of casino licences on poker clubs is neither appropriate nor fair and could result in the closure of many clubs throughout the country”
The UKPCA was founded two years ago after a meeting of poker clubs who’s representatives were concerned about the ramifications of the 2005 Gaming Act due to come into effect in the Autumn.
They aim to achieve the following:
• We believe that poker should be allowed to be played in a regulated but non-casino environment.
• Poker clubs should be able to operate as they provide safe, regulated locations, which are specifically tailored for poker players, without the problems or temptations that casinos provide.
• The UKPCA clubs can assure their members that they can provide a tournament at a fixed price with reasonable drinks and food prices where people wish to play without the stigma of having to visit a casino with all of its connotations.
• The UKPCA is committed to providing a self regulating body to oversee the playing of poker in a regulated but non-casino environment.
The Association also state that - A recent survey amongst 4,630 people found that poker is increasingly seen as a mainstream leisure pastime as opposed to a pure gambling activity and as poker gains popularity the main motivation to play has become having fun as opposed to financial gain.
