Swiss Federal Council Upholds Ban on Non-Casino Poker

Switzerland’s Federal Council upheld a Supreme Court ruling that makes playing poker tournaments outside of casinos illegal, continuing a policy that leaves poker in a grey area in the small European country.

In Switzerland, poker tournaments are perfectly legal in casinos. Also legal are “non-professional” games held between family and friends. However, serious tournaments cannot be organized outside of casinos, as the Supreme Court ruled that poker is a game of luck, and therefore is confined to the casino industry.

While the policy was not changed, it did face resistance from across Switzerland’s political spectrum. Councillors in favor of lifting the ban argued that legalizing poker tournaments would create jobs, bring in more gambling revenue, and prevent young people from moving on to other, less skill-based forms of gambling.

The Supreme Court case in question was heard in June 2010. Before the court determined poker to be a game of luck, real money poker games were offered in many clubs, bars and other businesses.

The Swiss Federal Council is comprised of seven members who together act as the head of state, making up the federal government of Switzerland. The exact results of votes by the Federal Council as well as notes from their meetings are kept sealed for 50 years, making details of how the Council comes to most decisions difficult to come by.

Many other nations have recently tackled the issue of poker regulation, or are in the process of reviewing legislation related to the issue. Earlier this year, France opened its doors to a regulated and licensed online gambling system, while the United States currently has legislation aimed at providing a similar framework working its way through the US House of Representatives.