Private poker competitions have been banned in Switzerland following a Supreme Court ruling that luck is the major factor in determining the winner.
Competitions have become popular in restaurants, bars and hotels, as well as on television and the internet. The Supreme Court ruling came after Swiss casinos appealed against a lower court decision that Texas Hold ‘Em was a game of skill and could therefore be played anywhere.
In Switzerland, games of luck such as roulette and slot machines are restricted to licensed casinos, which pay a hefty 50 per cent.
