Russia

Bust out the giant foam playing card and head to the stadium --- poker is officially a "sport" in Russia. The Russian Sport Poker Federation, after intense lobbying, succeeded in getting the card game reclassified. The winning argument: poker outcomes are contingent on skill, not luck. Now what? The game may find itself exempt from Russia's harsh gaming regulations that restrict gaming to just four areas of the country and ban all Internet gambling. Operators may also be able to avoid the fees associated with organizing games. These poker perks are not yet guaranteed --- the future of the sport will likely be settled in the upcoming legislative session.