Sweden's Top Judges Given Poker Lesson To Prove Skill

Some of Sweden’s highest ranking judges lined up for a lesson in playing poker recently, as part of a case to determine whether Texas Hold’em is a game of chance or skill.
A successful and experienced poker player was tasked with helping convince Sweden’s Supreme Court that skill was by far the biggest factor in winning at poker.
At the heart of the case is a poker tournament which took place in 2007 at Grebbestad, where four men were either imprisoned or fined for organising the event involving around 700 people.
In Sweden, an illegal gambling crime is committed where the luck factor in a game far outweighs any skill involved and in 2009 the Court of Appeal  reduced the men’s charges because the game was Texas Hold’em and the tournament was held over several days.
Now poker fans are hoping for a change in Swedish law that will permit tournaments to be organised by businesses outside of the state gaming monopoly, Svenska Spel.
The experienced pro involved in convincing the Swedish judges of the skill involved in the game was quoted as saying:
“Courage, patience, experience, mathematical and psychological knowledge are some important characteristics [for success in poker].”
Also, according to another expert witness Erik Broman, random chance is only a factor when the  first card is dealt, after which skill becomes the key to success. As he explains:
“After the first card, skill is what matters. It’s about how one reacts in different situations, bets, and calls.”
Broman then went on to explain a fundamental point in playing poker, whereby: “A little advantage in the start of the game can lead to greater dividends in the end.”
As the landmark case continues, Swedish poker fans across the country will be hoping that the judges will eventually be able to see that, as Broman explains:
“A talented player has a greater chance of winning than a less talented player.”

Other news:   Multi-state online poker compact bill introduced in Pennsylvania

Poker News
Mississippi Casinos Post Record Revenue in April as Sports Betting Beckons
04 Jun 2018
Mississippi’s casinos generated gross gaming revenue of $184 million in April, or 5% more compared to the same month in 2017. Furthermore, that total represents an all-time high for the state, and is 1.3% more than the previous record set in 2007 when thousands of volunteers entered Mississippi to assist in cleanup efforts post-Hurricane Katrina.
Switzerland Prepares For June 10th Legalized iGambling Referendum
04 Jun 2018
On June 10th, Switzerland will hold a national referendum to decide whether the ‘Money Gaming Act’ passed by the Swiss Parliament in September 2017 can be implemented next year in its present form. The piece of legislation paves the way for land-based casinos and local partners to offer legalized online gambling in Switzerland, although a
MGM Resorts International Buys NY's Empire City Casino for $850 Million
02 Jun 2018
Real estate and entertainment conglomerate MGM Resorts International has revealed that it’s embarking on a purchase of Empire City Casino, a slots and pari-mutuel wagering venue located in Yonkers, N.Y., just a few miles north of Manhattan. The deal was announced May 29 in a press release, and is expected to be completed near the
Delaware to Launch Full-Scale Sports Betting on June 5th
02 Jun 2018
Last month’s decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn the sports betting ban in the country has opened the floodgates for individual states to legalize and regulate sports wagering within their borders. Before its decision was even made, though, a number of states had already put in place the necessary legislation in order to