New York Judge: Poker Is A Game Of Skill
Online poker supporters received a boost as a New York Judge had ruled that poker is a game of skill and not chance. Judge Jack Weinstein of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York dismissed a federal criminal indictment on Wednesday against a man who was accused of operating a poker club. This was said to be in violation of the Illegal Gambling Business Act.
The 120-page ruling stated, “Neither the text of the IGBA nor its legislative history demonstrate that Congress designed the statute to cover all state gambling offenses. Nor does the definition of ‘gambling’ include games, such as poker, which are predominated by skill.”
A professor testified on the stand and analyzed different online poker hands to show the court that poker was not a game of chance, but of skill.
Weinstein wrote on the ruling, “While players’ actions are influenced by chance events, their decisions are based on skill. By bluffing, for example, players can overcome the power of chance and win a hand despite holding inferior cards.”
Poker Players Alliance’s John Pappas made a statement backing the judge’s statement by saying, “Today’s federal court ruling is a major victory for the game of poker and the millions of Americans who enjoy playing it. Jud Weinsten’s thoughtful decisions recognized what we have consistently argued for years: poker is not a crime, it is a game of skill. As the judge’s opinion aptly notes, poker is an American pastime that is deeply embedded in history and fabric of our nation and his decision sets aside the notion that the vague laws render the game criminal.”
John Pappas of the Poker Players Alliance gave his backing to the decision, saying, “Today’s federal court ruling is a major victory for the game of poker and the millions of Americans who enjoy playing it. Judge Weinstein’s thoughtful decision recognizes what we have consistently argued for years: poker is not a crime, it is a game of skill. As the judge’s opinion aptly notes, poker is an American pastime that is deeply embedded in the history and fabric of our nation and his decision sets aside the notion that the vague laws render the game criminal.”