A PUB poker league has launched legal action against West Mercia Police over claims that licensees were misled on the issue and the company lost earnings.
Nuts Poker League, which organises poker in pubs, instructed its solicitors on Friday, March 23 to issue proceedings against the chief constable of West Mercia Police.
The case centres on a letter that was sent to licensees by the police last December warning them they could lose their licence if they continued to host poker.
West Mercia Police said that pubs needed a licence under the 1968 Gaming Act to host poker. But Nuts Poker League claims the games they run are legal, because they are for points and not cash prizes.
Steve Bellis, managing director of Nuts Poker League, was outraged by the letter and made a complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
He claimed the letter misled licensees and some cancelled their leagues, losing money for them and his company.
He added: "We have launched proceedings, but we are still hoping that the police may settle out of court. We have seen substantial growth in many areas of the country, but there has been a downturn in the West Mercia region."
The rules on poker in pubs are set to change in September when the Gambling Act will allow equal chance gaming, which includes poker, in pubs. However, poker will be subject to a number of restrictions, including a limit on stakes and prizes.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said she knew nothing about the legal action but added: "A complaint has been lodged with the Independent Police Complaints Commission in relation to this matter.
"Therefore, it would be inappropriate for the force to comment further until this complex issue has been resolved."