Poker is a game of luck - it's official.

The Court of Appeal has ruled that poker is more dependent on luck than skill in a landmark ruling.

Derek Kelly, the former chairman of a private poker club, had argued that it was a game of skill meaning that he did not need a licence under the 1968 Gaming Act.

Kelly was found guilty of breaching gambling laws by a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court last year and conditionally discharged for two years.

Kelly had been running Texas Hold'em Tournaments at Gutshot Private Members Club in Clerkenwell but the Appeals Court upheld the ruling that in a game of chance it is forbidden to impose levies on winnings and charge participation fees.

Had poker been granted the same status as chess or bridge, which are deemed to be games of skill, then it would have been legally available in members clubs.

But the ruling means poker remains limited to licensed casinos in the United Kingdom.

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Staying in the court room and in Canada, two poker players have been found guilty of their roles in an illegal gambling operation.

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, Neil Faderson, 27, and Rellen Orcullo, 34, were both handed discharges which means they will continue to maintain clean criminal records.

They were amongst 57 people arrested in an undercover police raid on games around the city last year.

In the state of Manitoba, poker games have to be licensed by the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission and only certain groups, like churches or charities, are eligible to claim proceeds.

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Poker continues to be a hit worldwide with India the latest country to announce their own Poker Tour.

Four tournaments have been scheduled for this autumn with the world's best players competing for their share of an anticipated $1 million.

The tour starts in Bollywood capital Mumbai in September before heading to Bangalore and New Delhi. The Grand Final will be held on the coast in Goa.

"Our goal is to add poker to the pastimes of the card and sport-crazed fans of India," said Director of Operations Imran Hassan

"India traditionally has had a long history of being a card-loving nation. So we hope the launch of the India Poker Tour will now help to satisfy India's craving for skill based card games."

Players will be able to quality for the event via live and online satellites beginning in June.

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The competition for players amongst online poker sites has never been fiercer and Bet365 have increased their cash pool by $2,500,000 per month to entice business.

They have increased their pool from $10 million to $12,500,000.

Bet365 Poker Manager Martin Willis said: "Bet365 is a trusted brand that has been around for years. We're one of the top gambling destinations in Europe and offer fantastic value for money.

"We send players to top tournaments around the world, run some great promotions on the site and look after our customers like no other online poker room."

Meanwhile, ultimateBet.com have launched a loyalty programme that rewards players for time spent playing online.

All players in he "RAI$E" scheme will earn status points and can gain benefits like a round of golf with poker celebrity Phil Hellmuth, lessons from the pros and holidays.

"RAI$E is a revolutionary new loyalty programmw that turns an already extraordinary online poker experience into a lifestyle altering one," stated UltimateBet.com spokesperson George MacLean.

"We've raised the stakes and dramatically altered the online poker landscape in a way that truly benefits online poker players around the globe."

Nikki Bealing, editor of www.directoryofonlinepoker.com, commented on the current state of the industry: "Players are currently benefiting from the intense competition between leading poker rooms. All players, from the total beginner to the seasoned pro, can take advantage of these offers but many do not even know they exist."

The three largest poker rooms, Pokerstars, Full Tilt Poker and Party Poker all currently have a dizzying range of offers.

Angus MacKenzie / Eurosport