Dear poker fans!

 

In connection with the official recognition of poker as a sport in Russia, you have many questions, we answer them.

 

Who and when decided to recognize poker as a sport?

This decision was made on March 16, 2007 in accordance with the Regulations on the recognition of new sports and sports disciplines in the Russian Federation by the commission of the Federal Agency for Physical Culture and Sports of the Russian Federation (Rossport), chaired by the deputy head of Rossport, Sergei Nikolaevich Korol. In the near future we will post on the website a scanned Order of Rossport on the recognition of sports poker as a sport.

 

What's next?

Now the Sports Poker Federation has to do the hard work of including sports poker and its disciplines (Hold'em, Omaha, etc.) in the All-Russian Register of Sports (VRVS). Poker and its disciplines will be assigned corresponding code numbers. Next, the Sports Poker Federation is officially accredited for the sport - sports poker.

Only after all this will official rules for holding sports poker competitions (tournaments) appear in Russia. These rules are developed by the Federation and approved by Rossport.

 

What will change for the players?

Players will have the right to qualify for official sports categories and titles. Currently, the Sports Poker Federation is preparing proposals for the Unified All-Russian Sports Classification (EVSK), which reflects the requirements, conditions and procedure for assigning sports titles and categories in the Russian Federation for sports poker.

The best players will receive the right to officially represent Russia in international competitions.

 

What will change for poker clubs?

Clubs involved in organizing and holding sports poker tournaments will get rid of the currently unreasonable need to have a gambling organizer's license, pay fees for tables, etc. Their activities will comply with OKVED code 92.62 - other activities in the field of sports. In fact, poker clubs should differ little from billiard clubs or bridge clubs. All this will be possible with one caveat - the game will have to be played according to the rules developed by the Sports Poker Federation and approved by Rossport (after accreditation). Failure to comply with these rules will be fraught with problems with government agencies.

Clubs will be asked to undergo a certification procedure with the Sports Poker Federation, and their tournaments may be included in the calendar of official competitions.

 

Dear entrepreneurs, the Federation of Sports Poker of Russia appeals to you with a request not to take actions that could discredit sports poker and ruin all our efforts. Please wait for the Federation to be accredited in Rossport and for the official rules for sports poker competitions to appear. We repeat once again that only activities that will be carried out in strict accordance with the above rules will be recognized as sports.

 

Sincerely,

Lawyer of the Russian Sports Poker Federation

Kovalev Sergey Mikhailovich