As reported in a past
CardPlayer Europe article, Sweden had been the host of one of the biggest (if not the biggest) poker tournaments in Europe. Billed as the
European Poker Challenge, last year's tournament had been wildly successful and much liked by the players.
Unfortunately, this week the Swedish authorities raided the 2007
EPC tournament, locking out of the action the 700 players that showed up to play. It is yet undecided what will happen to the €175,000 prize pool.
The Swedish government is taking a hard stance against the organizers of the event. Prosecutor Linn Scholander arrested the two organizers, demanding that they stay in jail until the criminal case against them can be brought. If convicted, the organizers will face a four-year sentence in a Swedish jail.
The government is arguing that hosting unauthorized tournaments for profit is considered illegal in Sweden. Perhaps more relevant, private tournaments like the
EPC do nothing to add to the Swedish government's tax coffers.
For more Happenings in Europe, visit
CardPlayerEurope.com
