Petition to Legalize Poker in Canada

Torus KnotTorus Knot
in General Poker Chat
Hello everyone,

I have read through all of the posts regarding the Ottawa poker club busts in October and I believe it is time for us to do something tangible to change the situation here. I have created an online petition that I will be presenting to the House of Commons sometime in February (to allow time for signatures).

Please take a moment to read the petition and put your name to it. A successful lobby will mean that private clubs will be able to host poker games and tournaments without prosecution in Canada.

http://www.petitiononline.com/CANPOKER/petition.html

Comments

  • SoupSoup
    Not to burst your bubble but I highly doubt it will be leaglized in Canada while the US is head hunting the industry.
  • Torus KnotTorus Knot
    Hello Soup,

    We can only try, rather than doing nothing. What will it cost you to sign the petition, other than 30 seconds of time?
  • ZithalZithal
    While I'd like to see privite clubs spring up, I think I'd rather see it done as a regulated business.

    Your petition is a little to general and vague to really put much support behind it.

    If you're going to do this, I'd rather see the petition be tighted up and ask for specific changes to the industry. ie...

    - Allow for the licensing of private clubs.
    - Allow for the application of permits for special events / chartity.
    - Regulate the online industry to encourage business to come to Canada.

    It's a great idea and a good cause, but I think you really have to come up with specifics in order to be taken seriously.
  • Torus KnotTorus Knot
    Hello Zithal,

    I agree with you, being more specific will be more effective. However, I am hoping to create a starting point with the government. Four provinces already allow poker tournament licensing for charity, but I feel a more open approach will give us the opportunity to discuss options in this area.
  • SoupSoup
    Hi Torus,

    Perhaps you should look into the PPA (poker players alliance) as I know they are planning to have representatives across the US, perhaps there could be interest in a Canadian front as well.

    Also, as Zithal said, the argument should focus on providing the positives of legalization, including government regulation and taxation.

    I agree things need to be done, and something is better than nothing, but I really believe we will not see change until there is progress made in the US.
  • NuTZnBoaTzNuTZnBoaTz
    You have to start somewhere, I agree, and I agree with zithal and Soup on places to start.
    The Poker Players alliance is a good place to start as Soup said. One of there most active members is Canadian, Daniel N, so you have someone there that might help the cause.

    As for what Soup said about the US head hunting the Industry, I have to disagree.
    They are going after the people that fund Online gambling, and Online sites.
    The people that pushed that Bill through have Casinos as their campaign backers. The same people trying to get rid of Online Gambling might actually support what you are proposing...if they stood to gain financially.

    I'm new here, so I don't mean to offend. I just wanted to clarify that these are two separate issues.

    Lastly Torus, I have a small site where I could help you with Support once you get everything sorted out with the petition. I won't post the Addy out of respect for Our greatful hosts here, (It's also a Poker Forum). If the forum hosts allow, I could PM you the site address and we could work something out.

    NuTzNBoaTz
  • sweetjimmisweetjimmi
    Move out west. In Calgary alone there are something like 7 casinos; almost all of which sport pokerrooms.

    Private gambling houses will never work. Way to much corruption.
  • NuTZnBoaTzNuTZnBoaTz
    I agree with jimmi on these private rooms working in the West.
    I too play in the Calgary area, and some in Edmonton as well. They just built another Mega Casino in the Edmonton area with a huge poker room.

    It would be nice to have a place to play that just had poker though. Like the old poker rooms in California.

    Out east on the other hand is a different story. I would support what Torus is trying to accomplish just to help out my Brothers in Poker...Just like I am supporting the US players in their quest to get Online poker back.

    Remember, if it happens else where, it can happen here.

    I read somewhere that it is illegal to play poker for money even in a private home in Ontario...Is this true?

    NuTzNBoaTz

    The early bird gets the worm, but it's the second mouse that gets the Cheese
  • Torus KnotTorus Knot
    Hello NutzNBoatz,

    If you want to get technical, it is illegal to play poker anywhere in Canada other than a provincially santioned casino. The letter of the law states that it is illegal to even own "gambling equipment" such as poker tables and chips. However, it would be ridiculous for the police to start arresting people for games in their homes, especially if there is no rake.

    In general as long as there is no "risk of loss" to the players, a poker tournament is legal. This is what allows bars to have those free tournaments to entertain people.
  • Bobsi38127Bobsi38127
    hmmm.... If Poker is illegal in Canada (sans Casinos) then why do they mass produce poker chips??? Poker is legal as long as the HOUSE DOES NOT PROFIT FROM THE GAME, that's why bars can't have it. Bars charge for drinks/food which profits the house which is what the stink is all about, so the bars COULD get around it if all the people couldn't buy anything there if they did play , and brought their own drinks and food. (but really bars wouldn't encourage that, lol)
  • HobbesHobbes
    You can get a licence in Ontario, if you have a spare $100k/yr.
    Plus you need to licence all the dealers.

    So you can do it leaglly in Ontario, but it is difficult and expensive.
  • STR82ACESTR82ACE
    Hobbes wrote: »
    So you can do it leaglly in Ontario, but it is difficult and expensive.

    And why make it too easy? Do you want leagues and bar games and home games and clubs popping up everywhere? Just imagine the problems with so much access made available.

    I am, of course, JOKING!:)
  • Torus KnotTorus Knot
    Hobbes, what license are you refering to?
  • HobbesHobbes
    Follow this link and click on gaming Fees.

    http://www.agco.on.ca/en/e.fees/e.fees.html
  • NuTZnBoaTzNuTZnBoaTz
    A company started up in British Columbia that hosted Free tournaments in Bars. The prizes were bar tabs, etc. but no money was awarded of course.

    I read about this happening in the States and thought it was a great idea.

    The Bar owners thought it was a good idea too, because it would bring in business on nights where they might not have been too busy.

    Long story short, That company tried to cross into Alberta to do the same thing and were shut down because it is, as you said, illegal to hold gambling events, free or not, anywhere except in a Casino.

    Not that you care, just something that happened here in Alberta.

    As for Playing Poker for money in a private residence. A friend of mine called the Alberta Gaming board and inquired as to the legallity of hosting a home tournament. Either they misunderstood him or something, but he was told that as long as no money was taken for the house or for any other reason, it was fine to play for money.
  • Torus KnotTorus Knot
    Hello Hobbes,

    Unfortunately, a direct quote from the AGCO is "we do not license poker". Those fees are required to work in or supply to a casino. Only bingo halls can be opened privately under the AGCO.
  • HobbesHobbes
    So you have to pay 100k/year just to supply stuff? Man and they think online poker should be illegal.

    What a scam they are pulling...LOL

    Oh well, back to the "Home" games....
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