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UK Gambling Commission Warns on Poker Prizes

Live and Online Poker Rooms Rebuked for Offering Seats in Poker Tournaments as Prizes

by Brendan Murray  |  Published: Dec 19, 2007

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The UK Gambling Commission has warned poker operators in the UK that offering seats in poker tournaments as prizes amounts to "foreign gambling" if the tournament where the seat is offered is outside the European Economic Area, Gibraltar, or a 'white-listed' jurisdiction.

A statement on the Commissions website says:

"It has come to the Commission's attention that a number of operators are offering places at overseas poker tournaments as prizes in UK based competitions.

"For example, a poker tournament played either at a UK Casino or online may offer the winner the chance to play in a cash prize tournament held outside the UK.

"In the Commission's view, the offering of such a prize amounts to advertising of non-UK gambling, as defined by section 327 of the Gambling Act 2005. Unless the overseas tournament is based in the European Economic Area, Gibraltar, or in white-listed jurisdictions, the advert is likely to amount to the advertising of "foreign gambling", which constitutes an offence under section 331 of the Gambling Act 2005.

"Operators should take steps to ensure that any advertising which they are responsible for complies with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005."

Many companies, including UK casinos and online rooms based within the Commission's jurisdiction, will have to review their use of popular prizes such as seats at the World Series of Poker main event and Aussie Millions or face a fine, up to 51 weeks in jail, or both.
 
 
Tags: europe
 
 
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