07/07/2010, Casino

Although according to the country's law, gambling games are considered games of luck, a Dutch High Court recently ruled that poker is a game of skill, not chance. The man arrested for organizing a poker tournament played in 2006, was set free. Four years after he was arrested, the court ruling reached the verdict “not guilty”.

During the trial, the defense argued poker has become a different game, which depends on tactics, experience and psychology and that playing a game of skill could not be considered as illegal.
The three judges agreed with the defense and ruled for a sudden change in the way in which poker is categorized. Since poker cannot be considered as a game of chance, the Hague ruled the man who organized the poker tournament is not guilty.

Dutch laws state that casino-style gambling games are considered to be games of luck or chance and there can only be played at state-run casinos. Now, the Dutch poker players are waiting to see the effects of the new ruling and how this will affect the online poker websites in Holland.