Poker in Calais:
Live, Cashgames, Tournaments

Only in the national casinos in Hauts-de-France are real money tournaments of Texas Hold'em allowed, because according to jurisdiction in France poker is a game of luck. On this website we present you all the different possibilities to play poker in Calais and inform you about the legal framework in Hauts-de-France.

Legal notice: Is it legal to play poker Calais ?

Poker Cash Games can meet in Hauts-de-France and thus also in Calais the element of the offence of illegal gambling. One can be condemned according to these regulations if one organizes public gambling or plays in it.

Is poker a game of chance or not?

There is still no uniform ruling whether poker is a game of chance or not. However the jurisdiction in France and therefore also in Calais defines poker as a game of luck. The national casinos in France have for sure a license.

Poker in restaurants in Calais

Particulary for pubs the criminal side is very risky. There is the danger of losing the official permission to operate a restaurant in Calais if you make yourself liable to prosecution.

Conclusion

• Poker cash games are basically not legal in France and therefore also in Calais.
• The casinos in France have a state licence.
• Often it is very difficult for the authorities in Calais to evidence prohibited gambling.
• Tournaments are considered a game of skill, cash games a game of luck

Please note that the information provided does not constitute legal advice under the law and cannot replace legal advice, as such advice always requires knowledge of all individual circumstances, in particular of the specific individual case.

Cashgames: Real money poker games in Calais

Poker cash games are in general illegal in Calais. You have to visit one of the many casinos in the region of Calais. If you don't want to enter a casino but still don't wanna miss poker cash games, you can switch to Home Games, which are very regulated.

Poker tournaments in Calais

There are a wide range of poker tourneys in Calais. Tournaments are legal as long as no real cash is paid out, but the award is a non-cash prize. Furthermore, big poker tournaments are held frequently in Hauts-de-France! For an full overview of the upcoming tournaments in Calais, please look at our tournament schedule.

Poker Clubs: The best poker rooms in Calais

Additional alternatives are offered by the many poker clubs & poker rooms with poker events in and around Calais. We present you a good overview of all poker clubs & poker rooms in Calais:

Live poker in casinos near by Calais

In the city itself, there is no casino with poker offer. Hauts-de-France located its casinos mainly in little cities and outside the heart of the city. It is certainly easy to access them by car or public transport. The majority have even an own shuttle service. If you decide to drive your own car, all casinos provide generous parking space for poker enthusiasts. Nowadays, every casino in France often organizes real money poker tournaments. There are many tourneys and events where you can join. On our site you'll find a list, arranged by federal states, of every casinos running poker with their precise games and all important facts. After only a short drive you can play legal poker for money in one of the casinos around Calais.

Best Poker Players from Calais

• 1. Xavier-Rene El Fassy
  USD 324,820.00

Homegames: Poker for real money in Calais in private locations

In Calais the legislation of the federal state Hauts-de-France applies. In order to play legal poker home games in Calais you have to take care of the following:

Does the poker round take place publicly in Calais?

If the poker game is not public, it can be allowed in principle and does not have to justify any criminal liability. A poker round is public after the jurisdiction in Hauts-de-France, if "it is made outwardly recognizably accessible to a not firmly closed circle of acquaintances". A good example of this is cash games in pubs in Calais that anyone could access. This is illegal.

Habituality

Even a closed society can be considered public in Hauts-de-France based on § 285 II StGB, if gambling takes place there according to law.If the poker game takes place habitually, it is prohibited in private rooms in Calais as well as in public. So, if money games are hosted for every week on the similar day, it does not matter if it is a private room or not. Both are not allowed.

The best Online Poker Rooms in comparison

The easiest and legal way to play poker in Calais is online poker. We present a variety of well known poker platforms where you can officially play for real money in France. After many years of online poker history, several providers proofed themselfes as the most reliable and consistent. We strongly recommend opening an account with these platforms and playing poker there. The poker games on offer are great, the choice is extensive, the players are numerous and the fees are not too high. Poker-in.com lists the most important and best providers in comparison.