Brit cops sued by poker league

English police officials who advised local public houses (bars) in West Mercia that hosting poker games could cost their licence may have some explaining to do following litigation launched by a poker league this week.

The trade publication The Publican reports that the Nuts Poker League, which organises poker games in UK pubs is suing the West Mercia police on grounds that the cops misled pubs on the issue of whether the league games were legal.

The case stems from a letter the West Mercia Police sent to licensees last December warning them that hosting poker games could result in licences being pulled.

The League claims the letters were misleading and caused some pubs to cancel their league events, unfairly costing both the pubs and the League revenue.

"We have seen substantial growth [in poker] in many areas of the country, but there has been a downturn in the West Mercia region," Steve Bellis, Nuts Poker League managing director said to The Publican. He added that though the League has launched proceedings, it still hopes that the police may settle out of court.

The Publican says that under the U.K. 1968 Gaming Act, it is currently illegal for pubs to host poker without a gaming licence except under certain conditions. But because the league plays for points and not money, and there is no monetary rake or public access to the games, the UK Gaming Commission has opined that it is technically in a grey legal area under the Gaming Act.

Changes in the rules for poker in pubs are envisaged when the new Gambling Act takes affect in September and allows equal-chance gaming in pubs, though poker will be subject to a number of restrictions.