Euro Poker: Landmark Legal Victory for UK Poker ClubDusk Till Dawn Becomes UK's First Legal Poker Club |
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History was made today at Nottingham Magistrates Court when Dusk Till Dawn (DTD) was issued a casino license, making it the UK's first legal poker club and the largest in Western Europe.
Rob Yong, managing director of DTD, said, "I am absolutely delighted, as are all of my team, at the news. It's been a lot of hard work these last two years, but we've crossed the final hurdle and we can look ahead to when we open later this year to make DTD the best poker club in Europe."
It was not all smooth sailing for the club, though, as it was objected to by three casino chains - Gala, Stanley's, and London Clubs International - on the grounds of "insufficient demand."
The objection caused the original case in April 2007 to be adjourned until Sept. 24.
At the 11th hour, London Clubs dropped out, but barristers for both Gala and Stanley's fiercely contested the bid. They argued that there was not enough demand in the local area and that the club was not financially viable.
However, arguments from DTD barrister, Andrew Woods, and two letters of support from the Gambling Commission, in itself an unprecedented event, swayed the magistrates in DTD's favor.
The chairman of the Betting and Gaming Committee said in his verdict, "I can safely say that if you had come to us with the intention of obtaining a full gaming license we would have denied it. We would have been finished by lunch. However, as you wish to open a poker-only club, we feel there is demand for the facilities you offer. As such, we will issue you a license with the condition that only poker can be played there and no slot machines will be allowed."
This was the last case heard under the 1968 Gambling Act which, has now been replaced with the 2005 Gambling Act. Under the 1968 Act, it is possible to apply for a gaming license with certain restrictions, such as DTD has had imposed on it, including having no slot machines.
However, under the 2005 Act, a gaming license automatically gives the licensee the right to host all casino games. Due to the 1968 Act being replaced with the 2005 Act, all licenses are now automatically converted, effectively allowing DTD to host all casino games despite the magistrate's restrictions, which has been an argument of the casinos.
Yong said, "Though we did consider having slot machines at the club, we have now reconsidered, and despite the conditions not being legally binding, we will abide by them as a sign of good faith."
A set date has not been chosen for the club's opening, but it is expected that the club will make its debut in late November 2007. With 45 poker tables, which can comfortably seat 405 players at any one time, DTD is the largest poker club in Western Europe and the second-largest in all of Europe.
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