French Court Rules that Poker is a Game of Skill

August 3 - Poker forums have been buzzing with a report coming out of France that a court has ruled against the theory that poker is a game of chance.

According to the article that appeared in MadeinPoker, the French Criminal Court of First Instance in Toulouse ruled that poker is a game of skill, after hearing enough evidence to reach the decision.

Jean-Pierre Gleizes, the manager of Les Coulisses, was accused and charged with organizing private poker competitions in his venue without the necessary licenses from authorities.

Article 1 of the Act of July 12, 1983 reads: "Any participation of the public in the managing of a gambling house is punishable by three years imprisonment and €90,000 fine."

However, the defendant and others argued that they were not contravening any laws because poker is a game of skill and therefore is not subject to French gambling legislation.

The judge heard evidence from professional poker, bridge and chess players, including national champions, as well as a professor of mathematician.  He finally ruled that poker is indeed a game of skill and the accused were let free.

The state immediately started appeal proceedings and the case is set to reach the Supreme Court.

Far Reaching Consequences

Members of twoplustwo wasted no time predicting what could happen to the French poker industry if the Supreme Court rules in Gleizes' favor - an unlikely but nevertheless tantalizing possibility.

As a game of skill, poker would be taxable and all revenues would need to be declared, for example.

In addition, poker operators would be free of paying licensing and taxes under the newly passed Online Gaming Bill, although this may be short lived, with efforts already in the process to expand the bill to games of skill as well.