Every now and then (or every single day – depending on who you are) a person will hear some news that makes them think: ‘How was I not aware of that?!’

Recently, this has been the reaction provoked by the news that Northern Ireland is currently striving to get online poker legalised upon its shores. That’s right. Not the United States, but Northern Ireland…

Shocking as it may seem, poker is still very much illegal in the Northernmost part of the Emerald Isle. It has been a recurring feature over the last few years, which has been highlighted by the case of the Cavendish Club in 2006 – a private poker club that was raided and deemed to be illegal.

Poker isn't quite so big in all parts of Ireland...

Funnily enough, the reason that poker is illegal in Northern Ireland is due to the fact that magistrates deemed it not to be a game of skill; despite this, several other gambling outlets (which are certainly much less skillful) such as the sports betting, bingo and horse racing are not subject to such prejudice.

However, there is currently a movement to change the draconian laws that single out poker in Northern Ireland:

The online petition is available to sign at GoPetition.com/Petitions/Legalise-Poker-In-N-Ireland.html and the requested change in definition would see poker legalised under the governing Betting, Gaming And Lotteries Act.

Finally, it seems Irish poker players have a means to make up their own minds as to whether or not poker is acceptable for them.