Poker pro Phil Ivey granted Supreme Court go-ahead

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Phil Ivey, the world-famous poker player who has been in dispute with the London casino Crockfords Club since winning £7.8 million playing a version of baccarat called Punto Banco in August 2012, has been granted permission by the Supreme Court to appeal the order made by the Court of Appeal on 3 November 2016. The Supreme Court is the U.K.'s highest court of appeal for civil cases and only hears cases which raise issues of general public importance.

Commenting on the announcement, Phil Ivey, 40, said, "Last November's Court of Appeal ruling made no sense to me. The original trial judge ruled that I was not dishonest and none of the three Appeal Court judges disagreed, and yet the decision went against me by a majority of 2 to 1. I am so pleased that the Supreme Court has granted me permission to fight for what I genuinely believe is the right thing to do in my circumstances, and for the entire gaming industry. I look forward to the Supreme Court reversing the decision against me."

Phil Ivey is represented by Richard Spearman QC and Max Mallin QC of Thirty Nine Essex Chambers and Wilberforce Chambers respectively and Matthew Dowd of Archerfield Partners LLP.

Matthew Dowd stated, "Phil and his legal team are delighted that the Supreme Court judges have decided that the Court of Appeal's decision should be reviewed. The Court of Appeal's ruling left the interpretation of Section 42 of the Gambling Act totally unclear and the decision to grant permission to appeal demonstrates that the Supreme Court agrees with that view."