Two jailed over million-kronor poker tournament
Two men have been jailed by a court in western Sweden after they were found guilty of organizing an illegal million-kronor poker tournament involving 700 people.
The men were sentenced by Uddevalla District Court to six months and eight months in jail respectively.
Of the four remaining men charged in the case, two were fined the equivalent of 80 days' wages and two were cleared of the charges of illegal gambling.
The man sentenced to eight months in prison was also convicted of driving under the influence. The man's lawyer, Henrik Olsson Lilja, said his client intended appealing the decision.
"We think the district court has gone too far with a prison sentence. A reasonable consequence might have been a suspended sentence coupled with community service," he said.
The illegal poker tournament was broken up by police in March 2007.
Each of the participants paid €250 ($390) to join the tournament. The organizers pocketed €30, while the rest of the money went into the prize pot.
Prosecutors said that the competition was arranged in conjunction with a gaming company, and took place in a conference centre in the town of Grebbestad.
The maximum prize money at the event was €50,000. Two of those charged worked for the gaming company; another two were locally-based organizers.
The remaining two people were charged for renting out the room at the conference centre.
Comments
See Also
The men were sentenced by Uddevalla District Court to six months and eight months in jail respectively.
Of the four remaining men charged in the case, two were fined the equivalent of 80 days' wages and two were cleared of the charges of illegal gambling.
The man sentenced to eight months in prison was also convicted of driving under the influence. The man's lawyer, Henrik Olsson Lilja, said his client intended appealing the decision.
"We think the district court has gone too far with a prison sentence. A reasonable consequence might have been a suspended sentence coupled with community service," he said.
The illegal poker tournament was broken up by police in March 2007.
Each of the participants paid €250 ($390) to join the tournament. The organizers pocketed €30, while the rest of the money went into the prize pot.
Prosecutors said that the competition was arranged in conjunction with a gaming company, and took place in a conference centre in the town of Grebbestad.
The maximum prize money at the event was €50,000. Two of those charged worked for the gaming company; another two were locally-based organizers.
The remaining two people were charged for renting out the room at the conference centre.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.