The game of poker is the subject of an academic debate

Online poker has gained in popularity thanks to aggressive marketing by leading Internet casinos that promote its different variations like Texas Hold'em, 5 card, seven card, etc. The online casinos offer various incentives and promotions packed with exciting features to attract new players.

However, a recent debate was not the strategies of online poker, but its legal tussle for recognition. Several aspects related to the legality of the game were the subject of debate at Harvard Law School.

The student-led Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society (GPSTS) with help of a leading professor had organized a series of conferences and lectures that aimed at examining the role of poker in the context of law and education. The debates were also open to the media.

Initiated by Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society, the discussions on the game were more as a thinking and academic exercise. The lecture series examined a policy of Department of Justice for prosecuting firms involved in the Internet based gaming industry, and its legality.

It revolved around a debate among Alex Whiting, the Assistant Clinical Professor of Law; Harvey Silvergate, a criminal defense lawyer and Matt Feinberg, a trial and appellate lawyer. Titled ‘The Principle of Law & Prosecutorial Abuse of IT' examined various prosecutorial power in extracting guilty pleas.

The conflict between the growing web based gambling industry and the U.S. government in context of Internet regulation and freedom formed the crux of the lecture series. It was indeed informative for law students.

The lectures and conference series, started in October, continues till the Fall Semester gets over.

This lecture series examines various complex legal, ethical and other related issues to online gambling & poker. It extends beyond the classroom of Harvard Law and involves a larger audience via the Internet & Second Life.