International Federation of Poker Slams Swiss Legal RulingIFP President Anthony Holden Says Swiss Court “Misguided” For Ruling Poker Is Not Skill Game |
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The International Federation of Poker yesterday slammed this week’s judgement by a Swiss court that poker is a game of luck and not skill.
The ruling means poker tournaments can no longer be held outside of casinos in the country.
President of the 25-member nation IFP, Anthony Holden, said, "This is yet another example of misguided poker thinking by courts and judges who simply do not understand the game – i.e. that poker is a ‘mind-sport’ of strategic skill far more than luck.
“The same has happened in various US states, at the very moment when America’s repressive Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act comes into force. If poker-players and admirers just stand by and watch this happen, we are conceding our rights to external forces who still think poker is a remnant of the old Wild West, rather than the clean, regulated, skilful ‘mind-sport’ all current poker-players know and love.”
Earlier this year, with the help of the IFP, poker was accepted into the International Mind Sports Association, which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
Holden said, “In the Library of our website – IFPoker.org – are numerous academic studies demonstrating beyond doubt that skill plays a much larger role than luck in poker.
“We at IFP will continue this battle on behalf of the poker community. I urge you all to rally to our support. Do not allow our skilful ‘mind-sport’ to be hijacked and repressed by ignorant legislators. We must persuade governments and courts throughout the world to separate it off from mere gambling.”
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