Bridge is still not considered a sport despite players taking their fight to the High Court.
Fans of the card game were trying to get it re-classified in order to enable more funding opportunities.
But members of the English Bridge Union were told today that Sport England's refusal to include bridge in a list of bonafide sports was justified.
In a complex ruling at the High Court today, Justice Dove emphasised he had not been asked to consider the "broad, somewhat philosophical question" as to whether bridge was a sport, but rather whether Sport England had not "erred in law" over whether to re-classify it.
He subsequently said the national funding body was correct in its decision not to add bridge to its official sport list.
EBU officials had previously argued that Sport England had made legal errors.
They claimed the phrase "physical training and recreation" contained in legislation - the 1937 Physical Training and Recreation Act - had been "misconstrued".
But Mr Justice Dove thought otherwise; saying there was a "compelling case" that the phrase "physical training and recreation" should be interpreted as "meaning physical training and physical recreation".
An EBU spokesman said it was "disappointed" by the decision, adding that members were considering next steps in their fight.
He added: "Whatever action is taken the EBU will continue to work with the counties and affiliated clubs to make bridge, and its wide ranging benefits, available to as many people as possible."
Additional reporting by the Press Association
