Hefty Poker Penalties Go Unassigned
21st of October 2005
In the state of Wisconsin illegal poker is being played every day. In bars, nightclubs and restaurants, area citizens cozy up to felt covered tables and buy in to Texas Hold’em tournaments for $20 for an evening of fun and a chance to walk home a little richer. No one, not the players, the owners of the establishments, or even the county prosecutors, seem to care that the games are considered illegal.
La Crosse County District Attorney Scott Horne says there are three elements that have to be present for a game to be considered illegal gambling: prize, consideration, and chance. Consideration is covered by the $20 buy ins, the prize by the cash that can be won, and poker is generally accepted to be a game of chance.
Horne and others consider putting a few dollars down to be the cost of entertainment and not a big issue. If there are complaints, Horne will investigate, otherwise the games will just continue. Should that change, someone convicted of taking part in illegal gambling can face up to 9 months in jail, and an establishment owner up to 15 years.
