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The UK Gambling Commission granted Dusk Till Dawn (DTD) Ltd. permission to operate a Poker Club just over a week ago, making it the country's first ever legal card room, and the largest in Europe.

Upon hearing the good news, Rob Yong, Managing Director of DTD, said, "I would like to sincerely thank the UK Gambling Commission for their fairness and the wonderful support of the poker community these past 18 months which has played a big part in this victory today." He added, although Dusk Till Dawn will be for 'poker only', offering no other table games, it will operate to the same high standards that the Gambling Commission expect of all UK casinos under the 1968 Act and the forthcoming 2005 Gambling Act which is effective starting September 1 2007.

Dusk Till Dawn has also taken the next regulatory step, submitting its application to Nottingham council for their April 2007 hearing to be held at Nottingham Magistrates Court.

There it will be assessed if "there is an acceptable level of demand for a poker club." However, it should also be noted that even if demand is not proven, the court still has the powers of discretion to grant permission to operate.

Over 3,000 people having already applied for membership of Dusk Till Dawn. With that membership as well as the dramatic growth in the overall popularity of poker across the UK and Europe, there is little doubt that demand can be proven. However, a mitigating factor might be if Dusk Till Dawn's upcoming opening causes any third party to claim 'material losses'.

"We're now at the last stage of the long process of opening a poker club and it's still not a formality that the club will be successful," said Paul Zimbler, marketing director at DTD. "Objections by local casinos at the Magistrates Court could cause further delays."

Zimbler added, "However, gaining the Gambling Commission's blessing was absolutely crucial and the most important stage of the process. We are proud that a small operation like Dusk Till Dawn has managed to pass this most critical of stages."
The club is in the final weeks of refurbishment. Staff have been recruited and trained. Systems have been tested. Even the opening night has been planned. All seems on track for a projected April opening. The exact opening date will be announced after the Magistrates Court hearing.

At 15,000 sq ft, DTD will be the biggest Poker Club in Europe, with a capacity to hold 700 people. It will contain 51 ten-seat poker tables, a restaurant/bar, and even a TV studio to show games live on TV.
In time, the club hopes its size will enable it to attract big poker tournaments, such as the European Poker Tour (EPT) and the World Poker Tour (WPT).