War against Illegal Gambling in the UK Starts with 3 Underground Poker Clubs

In a campaign against illegal gambling, UK officials have taken action against three unlicensed poker clubs.

The Fifth Street Card Club in Borehamwood lost its gaming permit and officials have found that the Royal Surrey Social Club in Morden has been hosting poker games illegally, by exceeding the limits prescribed by current regulations.

The Palms of Enfield club has applied for a gaming permit, but the UK Gambling Commission turned it down, due to suspicions that the club was hosting illegal poker games. The owners of the venue are entitled to appeal the decision.

Under British gambling laws, high-stake poker games can only be played in licensed casinos. Gamblers can still play poker in members clubs, but venues have to apply for a permit and meet certain requirements regarding participation fees, stakes and prize limits.

The battle against illegal gambling

Since July 2012, when the Hackney Council has rejected an appeal from a venue that had its gaming permit withdrawn, 10 such British poker rooms have been shut down. In addition, officials have rejected several applications for new club permits, suspecting that owners really intended to host illegal poker games.

“These 10 cases show local authorities have the means and the determination to tackle concerns about illegal poker in whatever guise it is presented,” Gambling Commission representative Nick Tofiluk told reporters.

“The message is simple; if you offer poker in a club which falls outside the rules for exempt gaming, or offer commercial poker you are breaking the law.”