The government may be forced to court by representatives of the British poker industry, it emerged today.
The UK Poker Clubs Association (UKPCA) is beginning the process of applying for a judicial review against the Gambling Act 2006, which comes into force on September 1st this year.
It says the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which is currently consulting on secondary legislation relating to the implementation of the act, is unfair to exclude poker from the "prescribed" classification covering games like bridge and whist.
As a result poker clubs will only be allowed to offer a pool worth up to £1,000 each week and charge players £1. Casinos and other "non-dedicated" venues like snooker clubs and pubs will be allowed to charge £3 and have unlimited stakes.
UKPCA chairman Geoff Owen described the DCMS' judgement as "incredible" and warned that "underground" venues would be established in defiance of the law if government proposals come into force this autumn.
"We believe that the British public should be able to play it in dedicated poker clubs, specifically tailored for playing poker in a safe, regulated, value for money and non-casino focused environment," he explained.
"The discrepancy in the Act is incredible and we call upon the DCMS and Gambling Commission to end this irrational treatment of the poker industry.
"Unfortunately however, it appears we have little alternative than to head for a judicial review."
A DCMS spokesperson said ministers were considering the recent consultation and were expecting to announce a decision on the matter in July.
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