poker staking debts

A question about : poker staking debts

If someone stakes a player in the UK to play poker and gets them to sign a written contract and part of the agreement is that they will pay back in full the amount of money they're down (assuming they're down) when/if they decide to end the staking arrangement is this debt enforceable by law?

I've had someone say it's not enforceable because it's a gambling debt but others seem to think it is.

Best answers:

• Depends where in the UK you're talking about. In Northern Ireland, it's not enforceable. In the rest of the UK, it probably is (assuming there's no other problem with the contract). See here.
• Thanks for the information.
• If youre the one loaning money, I would just do a written contract saying its a loan how much for and when its due to be repaid
  the person is then free to do with it what they want
  if youre the one owing money, pay up !
• Hi Phatus10, thank you for your query regarding gambling debts
  I am sorry but without knowing more details or the agreement I could not advise you on whether the agreement is enforceable but the other party would have to take action in court to recover the money. I would suggest you seek advice from a debt adviser. You can find your local Citizens Advice Bureau at www.citizenadvice.org.uk.
  Hope this is of assistance