A Danish has court has ruled favorably for poker players: Poker isn't just a game of luck; it also requires a substantial amount of skill - thus making tournament poker legal. The key seems to be, as always in Scandinavia, to organize not cash games, but only freezeout tournaments.
Frederik Hostrup, chairman of the Danish Poker Federation, was sued by a Danish trade organization for hotels and restaurants. Not surprisingly, behind this lawsuit was the Danish Casino group, which stood to profit from a favorable ruling. However, the Judge ruled that poker is indeed a game of skill, and Frederik was acquitted of all charges against him.
The laws on the subject are very similar in all of the Nordic countries, and effectively state that one cannot attempt to gain economically and commercially by organizing gambling events. However, since the Danes ruled that poker is not gambling but a game of skill, poker is effectively exempt from the law. It also elevates poker to the same level as traditional skill games (like bridge and backgammon), which can be played for money despite the (small) element of luck.
Unless there's an appeal within 14 days (which is very likely), it will effectively be legal to arrange poker tournaments poker in Denmark (with buy-ins of up to €50/$75).
Click
here to read an interview with Frederik Hostrup in
CardPlayer Europe.
