Geoff Owen, the Chairman of the UK Poker Clubs Association (UKPCA), has said that the gambling act which will be introduced in the UK this September is expected to have more of a direct and positive impact on internet poker sites than it will on regular poker clubs.

“In its current form, the Gambling Act could result in a rise in online poker activity and unregulated underground poker as players seek venues away from a casino environment,” Owen said.

The Gambling Act will demand that poker club members pay at least £3 a day for their membership, and that poker clubs themselves will not be able to operate legally without a casino licence. The UKPCA, which has in excess of 70,000 members, has expressed great concern over these regulations, and is urging Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell to consider the impact that the Act will have on bricks and mortar poker clubs.

“The imposition of casino licences on poker clubs is neither appropriate nor fair,” Owen said, “and could result in the closure of many clubs throughout the country”

He added that, “In its current form, the Gambling Act could also result in a rise in online poker activity and unregulated ‘underground’ poker, as players seek venues away from a casino environment.”

The UK Poker Clubs Association has enlisted the services of Citigate Public Affairs to help with the lobbying process. Citigate is one of the top three public affairs companies in the country and provides advice and support as well as specialist services that enable its clients to “play an active part in shaping the political and regulatory environments within which they operate.”

“We are gathering around us an impressive array of support,” the UKPCA has said. “We are employing the best Gaming barrister along with the best Gaming solicitor... add to that the strength of our political lobbying team and our own Public Relations Company, we feel we are very well equipped for the task ahead.”

The UKPCA was formed two years ago by thirteen of the most successful poker clubs in the UK, and aims to provide a self regulating body to oversee the playing of poker in a regulated but non-casino environment.

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