Gutshot Court Case - The Aftermath!

With last weeks decision by Her Majestys courts here in the UK that poker, organised and run outside legally established casinos, is illegal, its fast becoming apparent that London clubs such as The Gutshot, The Western & Big Slick are starting to feel the heat!

In the immediate aftermath of the courts decision it was declared 'business as usual' by one club owner. Now though, after several days of futher operation, the consequences of running such a club are beginning to hit home.

For these clubs to continue operating there must be NO entry fees charged on tournaments, NO rake taken from pots and NO charges made WHATSOEVER for providing the dealers. Of course the club owners are currently running around like headless chickens looking to 'bend' rules somewhat in order to accommodate its members whilst at the same time providing revenue for the clubs operation. Its not easy!

One London club, the Gutshot, has already tempered its working hours from 24 hrs to 4pm - 5am and closed its premises that adjoined the main bar & restarant area. Obviously to save on costs.

The ONLY poker club in London that is operating within the law is 'Loose Cannons' in All Hallows Lane, EC1. This club decided that it would become a 'private members club' and as such a joining fee (currently £25) + a daily 'visit' fee (currently £5 a visit) was asked of its players.

Whilst this idea was laughed at by the majority when the club first opened it now may look like a shrewd move as Mr Plod has now carte blance to raid the other clubs at will and close them down instantly if found to be operating illegally.

Just as the USA has decided that poker is an evil way of spending ones own money on the Internet and are currently choking off financial pathways to funding such sites it appears that while the UK Government is happy that people can get pissed up 24 hrs a day down at the local pub they are not happy to entertain a group of like minded people playing cards outside 'designated areas', i.e casinos

Best to move to Las Vegas now I feel and be done with it!!