How does one do this legally??

JtotheLewJtotheLew
in General Poker Chat
The Vista Room | Saskatoon's Premier Poker Club

Click on their facebook page link at the bottom to see pictures.

Found this place while browsing kijiji, it seems like a private poker club in Saskatoon, basically what I'm wanting to know is that how does someone get away with doing this legally?

They describe themselves as ''non-profit organization'' but it sounds like they private members fees.

If it's legit I would like to go play there it seems like a nice enough place..

Just wondering what some of you more seasoned vets thought of this?

Comments

  • MiloMilo
    No idea. In Ontario, if you wanted to rent a unit and host games you could do it, provided you made no $$$ from the operation of the room itself. At least, that is my understanding.
    In other words, poker is not the issue, profiting from hosting the game is . . .
  • superherosuperhero
    I don't know, looks risky. I just stick to online casinos and poker rooms to avoid any trouble.
  • kingkao86kingkao86
    I think you can do it with a membership fee for entering the establishment and then do it. But in order to make it profitable I can only imagine the membership fee to be crazy high.

    Like if I were to have a private club with a yearly membership of $1000. Then host the games with no rake.
  • JtotheLewJtotheLew
    kingkao86 wrote: »
    I think you can do it with a membership fee for entering the establishment and then do it. But in order to make it profitable I can only imagine the membership fee to be crazy high.

    Like if I were to have a private club with a yearly membership of $1000. Then host the games with no rake.

    How is that different from profiting from the actual room? You would have to prove that you're just covering costs not making money?
  • MiloMilo
    In Ontario, the "membership fee" would likely be termed a form of rake, thus illegal. Not saying I agree with it, but I do not make/enforce the rules. Also, IANAL.
  • BumbaclatBumbaclat
    JtotheLew wrote: »
    How is that different from profiting from the actual room? You would have to prove that you're just covering costs not making money?

    It's not just a matter of profit that is illegal, it is taking in revenue that is illegal. You can't take $1 out for the house.
  • JtotheLewJtotheLew
    Bumbaclat wrote: »
    It's not just a matter of profit that is illegal, it is taking in revenue that is illegal. You can't take $1 out for the house.

    So how do you think they get around this?
  • DennisGDennisG
    If they are truly a non profit somehow, they could be doing it with something like our BC "class B gaming" license..
  • JtotheLewJtotheLew
    So I emailed the guy, asked him if it was 100% legal so I didn't have to be concerned with getting busted playing there ( not really a concern of mine, was just the best way I could think of asking about the legality of it ). Anyways this was his answer :


    Thats cool man. We kept our website simple as to filter our members...as a private club its very important to pick and choose our members as carefully as possible. We are incorporated through our lawyer and all funds are handled by our accountant. WE are TOTALLY legal and legit so come and check us out, no pressure, tuesday to thursday after 7pm. Hope to hear from you soon! The Vista

    Then asked him about if there was a cost to playing there ( such as a membership fee or a rake )

    His response :

    Cool beans. One time membership fee of 25 bucks... we play cash games 1/2/ with a manditory five dollar straddle...no rake

    Seems interesting to me, I might go check it out next time I have a couple days off.
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