Poker takes step towards Olympic inclusion

POKER has taken a step closer towards being included at the Olympics with confirmation the International Federation of Poker will be accepted into the International Mind Sports Association in April.

OLYMPIC-BOUND? Poker is still a long way from being introduced to the Olympic programme but as of April it will be recognised as a game of skill by the IOC

The International Olympic Committee officially recognises games with the IMSA such as bridge, chess and Go as games of skill, ensuring poker can be considered for Olympic inclusion.

The IMSA played an integral role in the foundation inaugural World Mind Sports Games were hosted in Beijing, two months after the 2008 Olympics, and due to be held in the Olympic host cities.

"I am encouraged that the IOC has recognised what we poker players have always known. Poker is an honorable game of skill," said Rich Muny, a board member for the Poker Players Alliance (PPA).

"Many states in the USA 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 recognise this distinction legally."

Poker must still cross a large number of bridges if it is to crop up on the Olympic schedule, and if it is successful, it will not be for a while yet.

With multi-million dollar tournaments ten-a-penny in poker, an Olympic gold medal is unlikely to command as much attention, while the IFP would have to acquiesce to the laws of the World Anti-Doping Agency if poker is to be considered for Olympic inclusion.

But the fact that poker, as of April, will be recognised as a game of skill within the IMSA represents significant progress, even if any potential vote by the IOC Executive Board still seems a long way off.