Licensee claims poker victory

A Gloucestershire licensee is claiming victory in his fight to allow poker to be played in his pub - despite not having a local authority permit.

David Akhurst, licensee at the New Inn, Dursley, Gloucestershire, hosts poker games twice a week for around 40 of his customers as part of a league.

However he has been the subject of an investigation by Stroud District Council into the legality of the sessions, who he claims were threatening to remove his licence.

But Mr Akhurst said he has won the fight based on the fact that no prize money changes hands on his premises. Although, the winner of the league is invited to play in a cash poker game.

"As far as I'm concerned I'm not breaking any laws," he said. "There's no gambling involved. All the players are playing for is points as part of a league."

In July the Gambling Commission wrote to police forces, local authorities and trade associations reminding them that games must not be used as an inducement for people to visit a pub.

But the commission admitted that poker leagues, like the one the New Inn is part of - where players compete for points rather than cash - are a legal grey area.

A spokesman for Stroud District Council confirmed that it was happy with the poker games Mr Akhurst was operating. "Mr Akhurst assures us that the only poker being played is part of a local league and no prize money or stakes are involved and we are quite happy with this," he added. "If this isn't the case, then it is a matter for the Gambling Commission."

A new definition of "non-commercial gaming", including limits on stakes and prizes, will be included in the 2005 Gambling Act, due to come into force in September 2007.