The Gambling Commission has forced Old Trafford to shut its doors to poker. The government’s regulatory body has published new guidelines clamping down on the promotion and conduct of poker events, which has forced the organisers of this June’s Rivercard Poker Festival – www.therivercard.com – to cancel the eagerly-awaited tournament.

The festival, which was set to be the largest European tournament outside of a casino, was going to be held at Manchester United’s home ground. Owner Dave Brannan said: ‘The event has been put in an untenable position… due to the restrictions which now govern the way the event can be advertised.’

‘I wanted it written in blood from the authorities that the event could go ahead; not only did that not happen but the commission went direct to Manchester United with one of its heavy-hitters to try to make them pull out,’ he explained.

Despite having sponsorship and TV coverage in place, Brannan made the hard decision to call off the tournament at a personal cost of around £100,000 because he believed it was ‘too politically sensitive in the current environment’. He added: ‘With the new sweeping powers the Gambling Commission has we find ourselves playing in a game where the cards are marked and the government is the dealer.’