Legalizing Poker

g2g2
in General Poker Chat
Busy at work, so can't spend a lot of time on this right now. But here's the idea I had.

Skill Testing Questions

which lead me the the external link at the bottom of that page...

which lead me to the Criminal Code of Canada.

If charities, corporations, etc, can run games of chance and legalize them by skill testing questions, why can't poker rooms? I.e. you take your rack of chips to the cage and you fill out a little skill testing question before you get your cash.

Anyone who has some time on their hands please feel free to help me with some due diligence. Share what you learn here.

/g2

P.S. If this ends up revolutionizing poker in Canada, you heard it here first! :D

Comments

  • JimmyHoJimmyHo
    ins't the rake still illegal for the club?
  • BlondeFishBlondeFish
    Raked poker clubs meets the definition of a common gaming house in s. 179(1). Found-ins have the chance of both winning and losing money by wagering in a game of mixed chance and skill, and it is illegal. Degree and Labatt's have expensive lawyers that make sure their FREE poker contests do not violate the Criminal Code. Many gambling club owners have tried all kinds of excuses and loopholes, but keep getting convicted.

    I can see the news story now:
    After a six month investigation and judge-approved arrest warrants, sixty heavily armed OPP officers charges into a K-W illegal poker club and orders everybody down into the ground. Three found-ins named g2, pokerJAH and BlondeFish refuses, saying that they have filled out a skill testing form and gotten some free chips with the free-entry alternative. The three are then Tasered. ;)

    The Three Amigos have been given the choice of a criminal conviction or undergoing a seven-week "Positive Lifestyles" counselling with the Salvation Army. This will ensure that they will be cured of their evil lifestyle of answering skill-testing questions and fulfilling free entry requirements!
    g2 wrote: »
    why can't poker rooms? I.e. you take your rack of chips to the cage and you fill out a little skill testing question before you get your cash.
  • AcidJoeAcidJoe
    Wow I was worried I was going to get tasered with you guys.... lucky break for me I found the back door as the cops come in the front
  • JimmyHoJimmyHo
    more SnGs at the lunch break, I am there!
  • ChrisWinsorChrisWinsor
    Noob question thats been asked a million times:
    Is it legal to host a poker tourny of say 40+ people with rebuys, but have no cut/rake and leave all the money for the players who finish in the money?

    Can someone back this up with proof to, cause I've had cops tell me different things. Thx
  • BlondeFishBlondeFish
    From my understanding of the Criminal Code of Canada and previous prosecutions, any "place of gain" can be considered an illegal gaming house. If the venue is selling drinks or otherwise gaining from the event, then even a rake-free game can be targetted by the police. A home game with absolutely no fees (i.e., rake-free, BYOB, BYOF, and no soliciting of donations or tips) is legal.

    If you need strong proof such that you would plead not guilty if you are charged, then you need to talk to a lawyer who has defended cases against the anti-gambling section of the Criminal Code.
    ChrisWinsor wrote: »
    Is it legal to host a poker tourny of say 40+ people with rebuys, but have no cut/rake and leave all the money for the players who finish in the money?
    Can someone back this up with proof to, cause I've had cops tell me different things.
  • MeistroMeistro
    I really wish we didn't have a nanny state government that attempts to make our own personal moral choices for us. It's all the more disgusting that poker is illegal given that the government has no problem with gambling, so long as it is done only in government casinos!
  • ChrisWinsorChrisWinsor
    Thx for your input Blondefish. Thats exactly what we did last time, no tipping, byof/b and no rake. We just told friends and they told their friends. Now with facebook existing we're gonna put the cap at probably 63. Unfortunately I dont know any lawyers... mabye I could get a free consultation some how.
  • BlondeFishBlondeFish
    I think some lawyers offer a free 30-minute consultation so you could look for one that is familiar with the Gaming Part VII of the Criminal Code, and ask them if they would be able to mount a defence if you got charged.

    I don't see the point of going through the hassle of hosting a 63-player home (or rent-free venue) game without any fees and inviting total strangers who could make trouble. The OPP monitors the Web including Facebook and they MAY take the position that you are regularly advertising to the general public and consider your venue as a gaming house. P.S. IANAL.
    ChrisWinsor wrote: »
    Thats exactly what we did last time, no tipping, byof/b and no rake. We just told friends and they told their friends. Now with facebook existing we're gonna put the cap at probably 63. Unfortunately I dont know any lawyers... mabye I could get a free consultation some how.
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