Online Poker

A Southern California judge has today ruled that poker is a game of skill, and therefore should not be considered gambling under the law.

The news has been met with rampant praise by the poker community, not least of which the Poker Players Alliance. The PPA are one of the leading poker advocacy groups that incorporates over 10,000 members in Southern California, and more than one million across the entire United States.

"Poker is not a crime in South Carolina or anywhere else, and we are grateful to the court for compiling the overwhelming evidence that proves this case and protects the rights of players," said John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance.

"This ruling is fully consistent with the declarations of other judges and juries across the country that Texas Hold'em is clearly a game of predominant skill and adults who play should not be criminalized."

After five people were convicted of illegal gambling, their cases were moved to a higher court in an attempt to reverse the decisions. The court cited the overwhelming evidence that poker is dominated by skill rather than chance, and the convictions were eventually withdrawn.

"All poker players are well aware that the game is based on making the correct, informed decisions, not just mere chance, and games of predominant skill should not be classified in the same league as slot machines or lotteries," said John Ridgeway, South Carolina State Director of the PPA.

"We're very pleased that the judge considered the overwhelming evidence and came to the same conclusion. This is a well deserved legal victory for the players, the American game of poker, and for common sense under the law."

Have your say on the current issues that plague poker in the United States by commenting below. There will certainly be more news surrounding this event in the weeks to come.