Legal Poker Rooms are against Colorado Gaming Laws

[mathwizard]

I find it interesting that several poker tours and companies keep talking about "legal poker rooms". Unless the operator is a licensed casino in either Black Hawk, Central City or Cripple Creek, Colorado gaming law strictly prohibits "gaming" including poker rooms.

In many cases, playing in these games is a misdemeanor, however, it is possible for this activity to become a felony. Dealers and operators are committing a felony. I hold a gaming license and in reviewing the gaming statute it is illegal. No matter whether you make it a club or association, the minute there is a charge or fee or rake, it is illegal.

My suggestions is that all stay away, CBI appears to be cracking down on the illegal gaming, why get a misdemeanor or felony conviction.

[wally]

Yea, apparantly, CBI busted The Rail a month or so ago........appararently they were having full fledged cash games in there...... 2 or 3 tables every night......... how stupid can people be?

[ak77451]

Yeah they can bust little nickle and dime games, yet high profile murders, and such go unsolved.

[dexman1349]

Yea, apparantly, CBI busted The Rail a month or so ago........appararently they were having full fledged cash games in there...... 2 or 3 tables every night......... how stupid can people be?

That's odd. I don't ever remember there being a rake on that game. Unless of course that all happened after I left. I periodically play TPT free games there and the cash game would start about the time the second table got folded up out of the TPT tourney.

[ak77451]

That's odd. I don't ever remember there being a rake on that game. Unless of course that all happened after I left. I periodically play TPT free games there and the cash game would start about the time the second table got folded up out of the TPT tourney.

there wasnt a rake. I think it was just too blatant and I also think that they were looking for anything to bust them for.

[wally]

They were probably trying to bust them - - - a lot of people cannot stand that jackass that owns that bar. It just got out of control - - - every night was 3 full tables of cash games. No rake but just because there is not a rake doesn't mean it is not illegal.

[SamAdams12oz]

Below I have cut and pasted from the the state of CO website explaining some of the laws.

"Q: What is "social gambling"?

A: State law allows "social gambling" among participants who have a "bona fide social relationship" and in which all moneys wagered goes out in prizes. A "bona fide social relationship" means that the parties must have an established social relationship based upon some other common interest other than the gambling activity. Further, participants cannot directly or indirectly participate in "professional gambling," which is defined as "aiding or inducing another to engage in gambling, with the intent to derive a profit therefrom." This generally means that no one other than the players can profit from the game or activity in any manner. The profit does not need to be direct profit. For example, if a liquor establishment or other commercial enterprise derives increased sales or revenues by attracting customers, even without charging a cover or other direct consideration, as the result of gambling taking place at that business, the business is considered to have profited from the activity and the activity would no longer fall under the social gambling exception. These two criteria—a bonafide social relationship and no profit motive—must be present for a gambling activity to be considered legal "social gambling.""

The "rake" is the coke you buy for $1.50, it may seem absurd...but it's the law.

[Poker Goddess]

Thanks for posting that! That makes it all pretty clear.

Lori Meyer
Poker Goddess
Denver Poker Tour

[nrkofover]

There have been some cash games here in the Springs in some bars and I encourage the people who play at the free tour and the home games I deal to steer clear of such things (one guy asked me to deal for their 'club' which doesn't take a rake but takes a cover charge and I politely declined). The reality is that eventually these games will get busted and who wants to go to court with a stupid misdemeanor ticket for illegal gambling?

Between home games and the mountain towns there's no reason to put yourself at risk for a card game.

I have played poker with friends before in bars (before the poker explosion) and we would play nickel/dime/quarter with four or five of us which agreed to do it spontaneously. This definitely would not violate any rules regarding gaming or bars. We were in the bar to drink and a poker game broke out, not we were in the bar for a poker game and decided to buy some drinks. But with the scrutiny now placed on bars and private 'clubs' it's just a good idea to have your social gambling in a private home with people you know.

[dexman1349]

Thanks Sam

That certainly clears up my confusion on the situation.