In October 2007 poker was officially recognised in Russia as a sport, placing the game beyond the category of gambling. The decision was applauded by poker players throughout the world, including the Russian Sport Poker Federation which had argued that poker is an intellectual game of skill. When the casinos and gaming establishments were closed throughout the country on 1 July this year, the poker clubs continued to function.

However, on Friday the Minister of Sports, Tourism and Youth Politics stated that poker does not exist as a sport. A ministerial commission has ordered a crackdown on illegal gambling activity, including poker clubs and Internet gambling. Moscow was scheduled to play host to the European Poker Tour on 17-23 August, although this may now be in doubt. It seems that the game of poker will be exiled to the gambling zones, along with the traditional casino games.

Russian Sport Poker Federation founder, Dmitry Lesnoi, says they are in mourning and that the change in the law is unclear – private poker games could now be illegal in Russia. Seeing a loophole in the law, some casino operators had altered their venues to poker clubs prior to the gambling ban taking effect. Now police and prosecutors will take action to ensure that poker is also outlawed outside the four gambling zones. (E-07.22.09)

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