organizing a tournament in CO

[jmazz]

i am trying to organize a nlh tournament in the state of colorado. does anyone know the legalities of renting a clubhouse and having an invite only, 30 person (all "friends") tournament. the house will take no profit from this and all entry fees will go towards paying for the clubhouse, prize pool, and refreshments, chips, etc.

also, if i am able to legally do this, if it is a 100 dollar buyin how many chips should a player start with?
-what kind of a blind schedule should be used?
-how does the seating arrangement work and when short handed when does a table break down?
-any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
thank you for your reply.

[J.R.]

Take from this what you will.

Colorado Revised Statutes 18-10-102. Definitions.
...
(2) "Gambling" means risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device, or the happening or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, over which the person taking a risk has no control, but does not include:

(a) Bona fide contests of skill, speed, strength, or endurance in which awards are made only to entrants or the owners of entries;

(b) Bona fide business transactions which are valid under the law of contracts;

(c) Other acts or transactions now or hereafter expressly authorized by law;

(d) Any game, wager, or transaction which is incidental to a bona fide social relationship, is participated in by natural persons only, and in which no person is participating, directly or indirectly, in professional gambling; or

(e) Repealed.

...
(5) "Gambling premises" means any building, room, enclosure, vehicle, vessel, or other place, whether open or enclosed, used or intended to be used for professional gambling. In the application of this definition, any place where a gambling device is found is presumed to be intended to be used for professional gambling.

...

(8) "Professional gambling" means:

(a) Aiding or inducing another to engage in gambling, with the intent to derive a profit therefrom; or

(b) Participating in gambling and having, other than by virtue of skill or luck, a lesser chance of losing or a greater chance of winning than one or more of the other participants.






C.R.S. 18-10-103. Gambling - professional gambling - offenses.
(1) A person who engages in gambling commits a class 1 petty offense.
(2) A person who engages in professional gambling commits a class 1 misdemeanor. If he is a repeating gambling offender, it is a class 5 felony.





C.R.S. 18-10-107. Gambling premises.
(1) Whoever as owner, lessee, agent, employee, operator, or occupant knowingly maintains, aids, or permits the maintaining of gambling premises commits maintaining gambling premises.

(2) All gambling premises are common nuisances which shall be subject to abatement as provided by law.

(3) Maintaining gambling premises is a class 3 misdemeanor. If the offender is a repeating gambling offender, it is a class 6 felony.