Is hosting a home poker game, between 50-75people legal. What makes it illegal? I always get conflicting answers from lawyers no less. If its legal why cant i open a poker room, although that may be completley different. Any responses would be appreciated. Als im in New York if that makes a difference, legally speaking.
Poker is a game amongst friends and if you know how to set it up right you can avoid doing time.
Guy use chips only and never have and type of cash transactions in the open.
Lots of big time games in alleys and warehouses in NY and as long as chips only being used it probably is safe but any money changing hands could be risky.
Son I would go offshore to start your operation.
thank you for posting this, i have been wondering it myself. I am just a high school student, but i have a very nice table with lots of chips. On any given Friday or Saterday night there can be hundreds of dollars being played. Now obviously i live with my parents who dont have a problem with it. But its still illegal so they pretty much tell me not to get caught.
My idea is everyone buys in and i put they money out of sight, so if a cop or something should happen to walk in, we would be cool
Here is the general deal for the US...
- As long as the 'house' isn't making anything, it should be legal. This means there can be no rake. If it is a tourney, there can not be a fee for the tourney, like $5 + $1 online or whatever the fee is. In the aforementioned, the $1 would go to the 'house' and not be in the prize pool. To keep yourself safe, every dollar contributed by players must be paid out in the prize pool.
- If underground and charging a rake, use chips. DO NOT have any cash in sight. Also, make sure the dealer knows that if the cops come in, deal himself a hand ASAP. If the dealer is playing, it helps things.
- If playing underground and you get caught (e.g. raided), you will in all likelyhood lose whatever is on the table or in your pockets (or even in your car for that matter). Don't bring more to the game than you need to.
Just a few days ago an NFL football player was caught in a raid on his property and he was busted for an underground card game. He violated the state statute for gambling in Florida. Raids on home games happen they are just rare because the stakes are usually small. But if you have a home game where thousands of dollars are bet per hand you can expect a raid even without a rake. Ps I am pretty much certain this was a non raked game as he wouldn't need to make money off of the players to fund his game since he was at least making high six figures in the NFL.........
It really depends on what state you are in. Here in CA poker games are legal, but each state is different. You may want to check with a lawyer.
gambleholic, it really wasnt a raid someone called the cops because shots were fired, in the air but thats what they were doing there, it depends on the state that you live in some states say "no poker" some dont care if there is and some dont care if there is a "little rake"....take it like this; if you are running an office pool on the super bowl are the cops going to hunt you down also and if the organizer takes a couple of bucks for getting it together anything going to happen, probally not....keep it to who you trust use chips and keep the money out of sight. and you should be safe, gl and happy playing.
Card playing for $$$ is illegal here in HAWAII. Who cares tho, everyone plays Hold Em.
Well, in home games if you dont want to draw unwanted attention just make sure there is no gun fights!!LOL
