Poker booming in Wales

WELSH card sharps are trumping their British rivals when it comes to poker.

New research has revealed that more adults are playing the game in this country than anywhere else.

Market researchers Mintel say that 31 per cent of the Welsh people who took part in their survey said they had played the game at least once this year.

That compares with 27 per cent of Scots and 22 per cent of English.

For Nuts Poker League boss Steve Bellis the poker boom has been a godsend.

His business has really taken off since he appeared on BBC2’s hit show Dragon’s Den last year.

Mr Bellis became the only contestant to walk away with more money than he wanted. He asked for £50,000 and was offered £65,000.

But his contract with Dragons Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden came to nothing because the publicity from the show had such a dramatic effect he had no time to fill in the paperwork.

The 45-year-old, from Bersham, Wrexham, holds games in pubs across the UK.

He said: “It’s growing like you wouldn’t believe. I am on a poker holiday right now in Lanzarote.

“I think its popularity was down to TV initially and the fact that people come (to us) because they could play in a live game in a safe and secure environment.

“We look after everyone and make sure everyone is happy. Friends tell each other and more people come along.”

One of the reasons given for the increase in its popularity has been the fact that, since September 1, low-stakes games have been given the go-ahead to take place in pubs.

But Mr Bellis warned: “There are still a lot of unlicensed games going above the limit.

“We know of a lot that go on in virtually every town that we are in. We hear about them and I don’t think councils and the police actually understand the intricacies.

“There are tournament games, cash games, no-limit games. They don’t understand what they are supposed to enforce.”

Mintel analyst Matt King said: “Live games are just as popular as on-line ones. The social side of the game is an important aspect for many players.”

A spokeswoman for gambling charity GamCare said: “Our concern is that people do not get into difficulty, and the extent to which people are playing in a responsible manner in a socially responsible environment, keeping their game and gambling under control.”

Celtic News Weekly

News Added: 02 December, 2007

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