A popular poker club has been forced to fold after losing its gaming permit once and for all.
The International Private Members Club, which was stripped of the licence in October, has finally closed its tables after losing an appeal at Thames Magistrates' Court.
International Poker Club - Golden Sands, Varna, Bulgaria. 1,698 likes 235 were here. The Poker Club at INTERNATIONAL Hotel Casino & Tower Suites - everyday cash game, daily poker events, major.
The ruling marks the end of a long-running saga that saw the club's managers test the limits of gambling law.
Regular player Marcus Bernard, 26, who runs a dealer training business, said: 'It really is the end of an era. It had the best atmosphere and the best players of any poker club in London.
- The Interstate Poker Club is the largest free Texas Hold'em Poker League in the Southeast!
- The International Poker Club London Uk Welcome to the Grosvenor Victoria Casino London! Enjoying the fun couldn't be easier, simply come along with a valid form of ID.
- PokerStars is the biggest poker room in the world and offers an awesome variety of games. From the super high-limits to some of the rarest mixed games and newer variants like Shortdeck Holdem.
'It was like a family, everyone was there as friends rather than just to take each other's money. For lots of people it was a huge part of their lives.'
He added: 'People are pretty angry. They feel it's a classic case of a council patting itself on the back for tackling a nonexistent problem, instead of fixing real issues.'
Many poker pros had earned their stripes at the club before going on to win millions in tournaments across the globe. They include James Akenhead, who scooped more than $1million when he reached the final table of the poker equivalent of the World Cup, the World Series of Poker Main Event.
- 1An 'incredibly difficult' year: Anniversary of borough's first Covid case
- 2From art to artisan: former editor kickstarts kiosk park cafe
- 3Campaigners urge north London incinerator bidders to pull out
- 4 ‘Absolute disgrace': Heating and hot water issues plague two estates
- 5Royal Free children's A&E: 'Fall in Covid-19 patients will see changes reversed'
- 6International Women's Day: Islington charity boss hosts lunchtime lectures
- 7NOcado campaign: Ocado brings High Court challenge
- 8Seventh man charged with murder of Imani Allaway-Muir
- 9Three strikes and you're out: Jail term for drug dealer
- 10Covid rule warning issued after spate of parties in Islington
The club was first opened as the Gutshot card room in Clerkenwell Road, Clerkenwell, in 2004, without any kind of gaming licence. The owners attempted to prove poker is a game of skill rather than chance – and that therefore they didn't need one.
When their argument collapsed in a high-profile court case in 2008, they reopened in East Road, Old Street, as The International, and acquired a private members' club gaming permit from Hackney Council.
That has now been revoked because the venue was flouting the conditions by operating principally as a poker room. Under the 2005 Gambling Act, members' clubs can only provide chance games like poker as long as they are not 'wholly or in the most part' their reason for being.
Cllr Sophie Linden, Hackney Council's cabinet member for crime, said: 'This verdict sends a strong message that clubs operating with complete disregard for the law will not be tolerated.'
Matthew Hill, of the Gambling Commission, said: 'We welcome this verdict, which confirms that the narrow permission allowing genuine members' clubs to host poker cannot be used to justify the provision of what amounts to a commercial poker club.'
Available now on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and Xbox One
Stunning next-gen visuals
Place your bets in stunning environments delivered in Ultra HD 4K.
International Poker Tour
More Ways to Play
Raise your game with over 10 Texas Hold'em tournament modes including freezeouts, shootouts, bounties and more.
Stay connected
International Poker Tour Pc
Join a Club and team up with friends and players from across the world to earn rewards, unlock shared goals and level up your Club.
The International Poker Club London
Live the Life of a pro
International Poker Tournaments
Advance from back-room games to big-money main events as you climb the ranks in the PCC Poker Tour.
