State Warns Taverns Against Poker Games

[TheGeneral+]

Taverns across the state are being warned that high stakes card games are illegal. The state Division of Criminal Investigation has notified local law enforcement agencies that the Texas Hold 'em poker tournaments are against the law in Wisconsin.


Assistant Attorney General Steve Tinker says the tournaments are being held all over the state. Tinker says he's taken calls from Sun Prairie, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and Superior. Bar owners are wondering whether the card games are legal.


You can be fined a thousand dollars and spend nine months in jail for making an illegal bet in Wisconsin. Operating a gambling place or holding an illegal lottery is a felony that carries a maximum 15 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

http://www.gamblingmagazine.com/ManageArticle.asp?C=380&A=10257

 

[theswami]

I wonder what the laws are for bars that don't rake the pot. I play at a local bar with friends and the owner has only a few rules...

1) no money on the table and
2) keep drinking

It is a friendly game but there are some decent sized winners and losers whenever we play.

 

[theswami]

wow...when did I become "certifiably crazy"?

 

[TheGeneral+]

You have always been

 

[Col.Forbin]

here is releated article re: poker in Wisco.

how about worrying about real crime and leave the little $100 entry poker tourneys alone. Funny thing is the bar owners love it because their business increases...but the politicians wouldn't want that now.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/apr04/219922.asp

 

[GrandMasterB]

the pot for one of them they didn't mention in the article was around $25,000. Nice, but it never played out. Got down to 45 out of 225 people before the cops f'd everything up. I bet the bars made an absolute killing. That many people sitting around drinking all day, plus food orders.

 

[eldiablo]

Yes, illegal if someone (like the bar) is taking a rake. If all the monies are dispursed to the winner or winners ...then it is legal.

 

[GrandMasterB]

it does not matter if the bar rakes or not. any type of gambling is illegal in WI.

(except for those who spend hundreds on the state-run lotteries, lol)

 

[eldiablo]

pb.....I was talking generally for some states. ...but yes they love the lotteries and such ...... maybe they will crack down on everything you do in your house. Curfew, only missionary style sex, no whole milk, etc. LOL