Online Casino Transfer: News - Swiss Contribute to Poker Argument

06/06/2010		Online Casino Style: News Swiss Contribute to Poker Argument
Home History Games News Dictionary		One of the most active debates in the internet gambling community got a new argument this week, as the Swiss Supreme Court ruled that the game of poker, specifically, Texas Hold’Em is in fact a game of chance and not of skill. The declaration is understandably upsetting quite a few prominent experts in the poker world, who are asking for a reversal of the ruling. Though Switzerland tends to be neutral on many issues, apparently online gambling isn’t one of them. Because poker has been redefined in Switzerland as a game of chance, online poker will now be off limits, as the game will only be legally available in land-based casinos where gambling in all forms is licensed and monitored. The decision was made by the highest Swiss courts, effectively ruining a number of small ventures that had been profiting from poker’s growing popularity with the nation’s citizens. Cafes, bars, and even hotels had been contributing to the growth, with the provision of internet streaming linked to online casino poker rooms, and even televising live tournaments. From now on, prosecution will be the result for those amateur players caught not only frequenting internet casinos, but even engaging in private and small games played for money. Land-based casinos finally won the decision after appealing to the Supreme Court to reconsider their previous ruling that as a game of skill, poker could be played anywhere. Now, casinos hold the rights to the game, leaving friends with a deck of cards out in the cold. Of course, the government will benefit from the ruling as well. In Switzerland, all games of chance are not only limited to brick-and-mortar casinos, but the profits of operation are also subject to a tax of 50 percent. Slots, blackjack, roulette… and now poker, will all be levied equally. The decision was based on evidence that showed that the other elements in the game – such as math, tactics, and psychology were overall less important than luck in the distinction of a winner.

06/06/2010

Online Casino Style: News
Swiss Contribute to Poker Argument

One of the most active debates in the internet gambling community got a new argument this week, as the Swiss Supreme Court ruled that the game of poker, specifically, Texas Hold’Em is in fact a game of chance and not of skill. The declaration is understandably upsetting quite a few prominent experts in the poker world, who are asking for a reversal of the ruling. Though Switzerland tends to be neutral on many issues, apparently online gambling isn’t one of them.

Because poker has been redefined in Switzerland as a game of chance, online poker will now be off limits, as the game will only be legally available in land-based casinos where gambling in all forms is licensed and monitored. The decision was made by the highest Swiss courts, effectively ruining a number of small ventures that had been profiting from poker’s growing popularity with the nation’s citizens. Cafes, bars, and even hotels had been contributing to the growth, with the provision of internet streaming linked to online casino poker rooms, and even televising live tournaments.

From now on, prosecution will be the result for those amateur players caught not only frequenting internet casinos, but even engaging in private and small games played for money. Land-based casinos finally won the decision after appealing to the Supreme Court to reconsider their previous ruling that as a game of skill, poker could be played anywhere. Now, casinos hold the rights to the game, leaving friends with a deck of cards out in the cold.

Of course, the government will benefit from the ruling as well. In Switzerland, all games of chance are not only limited to brick-and-mortar casinos, but the profits of operation are also subject to a tax of 50 percent. Slots, blackjack, roulette… and now poker, will all be levied equally. The decision was based on evidence that showed that the other elements in the game – such as math, tactics, and psychology were overall less important than luck in the distinction of a winner.