social games between friends are legal?

[El Barto]

Bars told to end "poker nights'' promotions (in Connecticut)

Here I thought even social gambling was technically illegal, but the story says:

"state laws ban gambling except social games between friends"

[cardcounter0]

Gambling laws vary by State, so you basically have 50 different set of rules.

"The bar owners say they were told that large-scale poker tournaments were fine as long as the bar did not take a percentage of the winnings or demand a separate cover charge from players."

Sounds like they need a definition of what a "social" game is in CT. KY has the same law. You can have all the big time games you want in KY. As long as you don't charge to get in the door, or rake the pot more than to pay for the food and beverage, it is legal.

[Songwind]

I think a lot of states have a "no public places" clause in those laws - i.e. poker games in your private residence are legal, but otherwise legal games at the community rec center are out.

[ddollevoet]

There are many bars in Atlanta that have weekly NL Hold 'em "tournaments". I think that it is OK here because there is no entry fee and no rake. Prizes are typically "house cash" and an entry into the championship tournamnet where the grand prize is an all expense paid trip to Vegas.

[riverflush]

Most states do nothing to curb home games - it's just not important to law enforcement (nor should it be). That said, it is also true that most states allow social games.

What's not as clear is whether a place of business can "sanction" a game - which is where these bars ran into a roadblock. Rakes, or percentage games, are not looked highly upon in any state and are generally seen as illegal. But as long as the house isn't taking a cut, you're very safe playing poker.


www.gamblingandthelaw.com

Just keep in mind that poker is VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY low on the police watch list. VERY.

[El Barto]

Things are heating up in Connecticut:

Blumenthal says it's time to fold Poker night

[cardcounter0]

Truth comes out. Doesn't really have anything to do with legal or illegal, does it? The State is protecting its poker monopoly at the Indian Casinos, and its share of the tax income pie.