Brussels (Reuters) - The European Commission will decide on Wednesday whether to take legal action against France, Sweden and Greece for restricting competition in their gambling markets, the European Union executive body said on Tuesday. "There will be some decisions made probably tomorrow by the college (of commissioners) on a number of member states," Oliver Drewes, a spokesman for the European Union's executive arm, told a regular briefing.

Manchester's supercasino bid is back on track after a legal challenge claiming new casinos would be unfair to existing venues was thrown out. The British Casino Association (BCA) had claimed plans for 17 new casinos - including a Las Vegas-style casino near Sportcity - could cost jobs across the country. But High Court judge Mr Justice Langstaff ruled against the challenge on all counts.

Poker may be a game that takes skill to win, but the chance turn of the card still trumps even a top player's ability to bluff, read people and master the odds of drawing the high hand, the state appellate court ruled Tuesday. That means what is arguably America's most popular card game, played in rec rooms by friends and hyped in celebrity tournaments on cable, is still a violation of state anti-gambling statutes.

Tessa Jowell faces fresh embarrassment from her controversial Gambling Act as the UK's poker clubs join forces to challenge the new legislation. They are considering taking legal action over the gaming law and, to boost their case, they will this week form a trade association. They have already hired top legal advice and Citigate as lobbyist. The UK Poker Clubs Association represents 72,000 members.