US Court Confirms that Poker is a Game of Skill
Written by Roger | Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
For most poker players who read that a South Carolina judge has determined that poker is a game of skill, it was a ‘duh’ moment. After all, most asked themselves, why did the question need to be determined in a court of law, using taxpayer’s money, to reach the conclusion that everyone knows anyway?
However, poker advocacy groups are rubbing their hands in glee over the recent ruling where the judge found that five individuals were not guilty of illegal gambling since poker is a game of skill.
One of the most significant victories for these groups is the fact that the court used the predominance test which provided conclusive evidence that poker is a skill game, less dominated by chance elements.
The ruling was particularly welcomed by the Poker Players Alliance, which itself boasts over 10,000 registered members in South Carolina alone out of a national membership base of over one million.
“Poker is not a crime in South Carolina or anywhere else, and we are grateful to the court for compiling the overwhelming evidence that proves this case and protects the rights of players,” said John Pappas, who serves as the executive director of the Poker Players Alliance. “This ruling is fully consistent with the declarations of other judges and juries across the country that Texas Hold’em is clearly a game of predominant skill and adults who play should not be criminalized.”
The court left it up to a higher court to determine whether state laws governing poker in South Carolina are too vague. A further victory for groups such as the PPA was that the higher court agreed on this point as well.
“All poker players are well aware that the game is based on making the correct, informed decisions, not just mere chance, and games of predominant skill should not be classified in the same league as slot machines or lotteries” said the South Carolina State Director of the Poker Players Alliance, John Ridgeway. “We’re very pleased that the judge considered the overwhelming evidence and came to the same conclusion. This is a well deserved legal victory for the players, the American game of poker, and for common sense under the law.”
Check Out Other Related Articles
· Written by Roger · Filed Under Poker News · Comments Off
