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Recent Crackdowns On Small Poker Games Have Some Legislators Wondering Why Bother
At the end of February, 2010, the United States Department of Revenue sent a letter to the organizers of the Alaska Hold'em Poker Tournament. The letter stated that the annual tournament was in violation of anti-gambling laws and must be shut down. The tournament organizers did cancel the 2010 tournament, amongst much protest from poker players, online poker reviews, and festival attendees alike.
The annual Alaska Hold'em Poker Tournament has traditionally had no buy in and the winnings go directly to charitable organizations. The tournament champion wins a ring and a trip to Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker, but other than that the game is played as a fun way to raise money for charity. The Fur Rendezvous Festival does hold a charitable gaming license to run the annual tournament, but the Department of Revenue posits that the way in which the Alaska Hold'em Poker Tournament is run might constitute illegal gambling because of the prize package. Fur Rendezvous Festival asked the attorney general for a ruling, but there simply wasn't enough time to save this year's tournament.
Meanwhile, police in Twin Falls, Idaho were breaking up a weekly poker game at a local senior living center. About 20 residents had a routine of meeting up every Friday evening to play Texas Hold'em for a $20 buy in. Much of the money was given as monthly charitable donations by the group to the senior center in which they lived. In essence, the folks were socializing, technically in their home, and played poker as a small fundraiser. Yet, instead of the polite letter that the Fur Rendezvous Festival organizers received, this geriatric poker game was invaded by police one recent Friday night. While reports indicate that the cops acted in a respectful manner to their elders, they did stop the game and issue a cease and desist order to the residents. Not willing to give up their fun, the residents met the very next week and have been playing with play money ever since. However, the senior living center has lost a cherished, albeit small, donation income. After all, in many ways it is the thought that counts.
From questioning the charitable gaming license of an annually held event to telling the elderly that they can't gamble at poker in their own home, recent crackdowns on charitable gambling has some legislators worried. The good news is that they are working to change the laws so that charities and seniors can once again have their games. The Idaho legislature heard about the seniors and is now working on a bill that allows local officials such as police to use their own discretion in enforcing anti-gambling laws. The implication being that the elderly in this case should be left alone. At the same time, the Iowa House State Government Committee is debating a bill that will not only legalize gambling on college sports, it will also allow Iowa residents to play in online poker rooms with real money. The system by which it would happen is a bit complex, but it is still a loosening of the current laws.
Loosening of current laws is good news for poker players. The near future could see a rise in the legality of poker playing, both at tables, and in online poker rooms. This is a good time to read up on online poker room rating and online poker reviews to prepare for the onslaught of new players that will show up if new laws are passed.
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