It’s official: Bridge is not a sport

The card game bridge is many things. It is a game of strategy and skill, with complex rules and a rich history played by millions of people, with tournaments held every year around the world.

But bridge is not – according to a European court – a sport.

On Thursday, the European Court of Justice ruled that bridge couldn’t be considered a sport, even when played competitively, because it lacks a “significant physical element.”

The decision arose from a tax dispute. In the United Kingdom, sporting events are generally exempt from paying value added tax, or VAT, which covers goods and services. If an activity is shown to promote mental and physical well-being, it can qualify for the exemption.

The English Bridge Union, based in Aylesbury, England, said the card game fit the bill. It called bridge a “cardbased mind sport” and said it shouldn’t have to charge VAT on entry fees to its tournaments. The bridge union brought the legal action after Britain’s tax authority denied its request earlier this year.