First-Ever Ruling: Federal Judge Finds Poker Is Not Gambling

BROOKLYN, NY -- Poker is not gambling when skillful players engage in it, Judge Jack Weinstein ruled in Federal District Court here on Aug. 21. The ruling is the first federal verdict to exempt poker from U.S. gambling statutes.

Observers said the decision could help speed the legalization of online poker sites. As earlier reported by Vending Times, such a move has been under repeated consideration by several state governments across the country in recent years including Iowa, California, Florida, Nevada and New Jersey. | SEE STORY

Wienstein's ruling overturned a previous conviction of New York City resident Lawrence Dicristina, who had been convicted on gambling charges because he operated Texas Hold'em poker games in the back room of a Staten Island warehouse.