We at Sports Media Network are excited about the news that the International Federation of Poker will be accepted into the International Mind Sports Association in April 2010. This signifies that poker will be joining a list of games that include chess, bridge and go as an official game of skill. Since the International Olympic Committee recognizes the International Mind Sports Association, which means poker will be considered an official game of skill to the IOC. This decision does not necessarily mean that we will be seeing poker in the summer Olympics anytime soon, but it is a first step in the right direction. This acceptance into the IMSA as well as recognition by the IOC gives poker another strong argument in court as to being a game of skill. The nature of online gaming may be in question, but so far the courts have been pretty lenient in a; owing games of skill to be allowed. Will this IOC distention assist in the efforts to legalize online poker in the United States, well that remains to be seen, many poker sites have competitions like the World Cup of Poker which matches players from various countries against each other.
We are encouraged that the IOC has recognized what we poker players have always known. Poker is an honorable game of skill,” commented Rich Muny, a board member for the Poker Players Alliance. “Many states have already legally codified recognition of the fact that competitions based on skill are different from wagering on dice or other events based on chance. I believe this decision will encourage more states to recognize this distinction legally.” “Poker is not like other casino games. It’s a social game where people are playing against each other, not the house, and a game where skill plays a bigger role than luck. There are 120 to 150 million poker players in the world and we deserve this recognition.” While we know the United States would field a dream team of poker players, there are plenty of other countries that would challenge for the gold medal.
The IOC has outlined that a game/sport must be practiced by men in at least 75 countries and on four continents and by women in at least 40 countries and on three continents to be recognized. Although we can all agree that poker is not a traditional sport that requires physical skill and toughness like pole vaulting, there might be a place for games of skill at the Olympics.
To have poker accepted as an official game of skill by the International Mind Sports Association and the international Olympic Committee is a great huge step in the right direction for the entire poker industry and we think all should visit PokerHost.com where you get first class service and a company that especially understands online poker players.
