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Lawyer beats big four at their own game

08/09/2008

A lawyer has beaten some of the so-called "big-four" casinos in Manchester back in order to gain a licence to open his own poker club.

Marc Yaffe said he saw an opening for a live poker venue in the city, which is somewhere anyone can play.

Most casinos revolve around gaming machines with poker seen as a sideline, he told Crains Manchester Business.

It has taken Mr Yaffe, an associate at Boote Edgar Esterkin, based in St James' Square, a "hugely protracted process" to get the gambling and gaming licence required.

Two of the big four casinos - Stanley Leisure, Rank, Grosvenor and London Clubs International – turned out against his application at the licensing magistrates, which took five-days to deliver and a whole day of evidence from Mr Yaffe.

Director of Manchester 235, which is owned by London Clubs International Andy Orr said he was at a loss at what the poker venue would bring to the city.

His club has been running special ladies' nights and has attracted several celebrities in.

Mr Yaffe's venue has already cost half a million pounds and is expected to open on Princess Street next year. It will provide 18 poker tables for players seven days a week.