Israel considering bill to legalize poker

[The Buzz]

Israeli lawmakers are considering a bill that would legalize poker tournaments.

If the bill proposed by Likud MK Sharren Haskel is passed by the Knesset, it would end the definition of poker as gambling. Up to very recently, poker players were subject to a year in prison and those convicted of organizing poker tournaments were liable to face up to three years in prison.

From The Jerusalem Post:

“The fact that the players go to contests and tournaments year after year strengthens the conclusion that it is not a game of luck,” Supreme Court Judge Neal Hendel wrote.

The bill would regulate the Israeli Poker Players Association and empower it to organize national and international tournaments. The Finance Ministry would have overall control over poker in Israel and would tax earnings.

“Israeli sportsmen bring respect and pride to the state in international competitions,” Haskel said. “Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that poker players are sportsmen and not gamblers, they should be permitted to practice on their home turf.”

Read more here: https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Bi...-Israel-571049

[Cash Bonus]

That’s good news for Israel, but not so much getting taxed on your winnings. They’re always finding new ways for us to pay taxes.

[TheGooner]

IT doesn't appear to affect online play? Just physical tournaments?

[ocreditor]

The new law will require that every poker player will have to go through a registration process in the israeli poker association so they can play tournaments, so Yes TheGooner I dont think it'll affect the online play in the sense of online poker room available to everyone on real money..

[mgaming]

That's interesting news, now Israeli players are forced to play live poker in foreign countries. Israeli Poker Championship may come back to the home soil