83 face fines in gambling raid of nightclub
Police raided a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament at the Shenanigan's Nightclub Sunday. The club's owner was arrested, and 83 people were issued citations for gambling.
The players who received citations face fines of $183 if unchallenged.
Poker maybe the most fashionable 'sport' on TV right now in the US, but you still have to stick to the US laws when played in unregulated areas.
Whilst poker playing is legal in a private house in Texas – as long as no rake is taken – gambling in a public premises is not.
The bar owner contends that he was merely putting on a tournament, like he would darts – but apparantly card games are not covered by the same exceptions that are available to 'games of skill'.