Poker Shut Down in Russia as Federation Ordered Closed

Poker, until recently a blossoming game in Russia, isn't outlawed with all casino gambling, resulting in a state demand that the Russian poker federation be closed.

The continuing assault by the Russian government on casino gambling, which quickly spread to envelop poker, has resulted in an order from the country's Prosecutor General to the Justice Ministry demanding the closure of the Russian Federation of Sport Poker. Authorities say the decree placing poker out of the class of sport and into the class of gambling amounts to removal of the federation's credentials.

As of July 1st, all gambling venues were ordered shuttered and gambling became illegal in all Russia, save for four distant special zones. Gaming has not developed within the zones, which lack infrastructure and can be found in unappealing and desolate areas.

Poker have been exempted, as Russian law defined poker as a game of skill and, as such, under the ministry of sport. But casinos facing closure tried to morph themselves into poker rooms to skirt the brand new law, and officials acted quickly to cast poker out in conjunction with casino gambling.

The European Poker Tour had planned an August event in Russia as its first tournament within the country, but was forced on the last minute to relocate to the Ukraine.

Before the change in policy, Russian poker was booming, with players honed in online poker achieving high levels of success on the World Series of Poker and earning international respect for his or her play.

Published on August 23, 2009 by A.J.Maldonado

Read More... [Source: Poker News]