Huh, haven't actually seen this happen before.

I know there was a recent thread about the legalities of poker tourneys and some discussion about charity licenses, etc.. I've never actually seen the cops shut one down. Sad.





Sunday, December 26, 2010 5:10 am
A recent OPP investigation in Perth County resulted in the cancellation of a poker tournament.
That according to Staff Sergeant Joel Skelding who says the organizers were planning to hold the event as a fundraiser.
Skelding says the OPP in cooperation with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission advised them they were in contravention of the criminal code and could be facing charges.
Skelding says it is important to remind people there are gaming and lottery licenses for some charity functions but "Texas Hold'em" does not qualify.
He adds the organizers of the poker tournament were very cooperative with the Perth County OPP and voluntarily decided not to run the event.

Comments

  • even if the proceeds go to charity, it is still illegal to run a poker tournament. I have seen poker tournaments held by fire departments and run by police officers but these don't seem to run into any problems for some reason?
  • pokerJAH wrote: »
    even if the proceeds go to charity, it is still illegal to run a poker tournament. I have seen poker tournaments held by fire departments and run by police officers but these don't seem to run into any problems for some reason?

    There's hundreds of "charity" poker tournaments running in Ontario every week but most of them never have an issue. Mostly it's only if someone complains that there is intervention.
    It's absolutely a fact that just because the proceeds are going to charity does not make poker legal. "Someone" is still profiting and therefore illegal. As said many times before, Ontario does not grant charity licenses for poker.

    Now just for record I do not agree with the above...
  • Black Jack, and Crown and Anchor only , Bingo too.
  • 100% agree with all the above. Like Comp said, there's hundreds of these things going on every week. I personally have never heard of one getting shut down and planned on playing this one. It's pathetic.

    I think Screenman wanted to have a big tourney on the front lawn of the legislature at one point to protest these laws and even set up a meetup group about it a year ago. At the time I think a bunch of us said we'd like to participate. I'd still like to see this happen. It would be interesting if CPF would back this in some way..... Just a thought.
  • Sit down, shut up and do as your government tells you.
  • We have had some cancelled because of a visit from liquor inspectors flexing mussel. Their power comes from " Your licence is suspended. Prove us wrong to get it back." No Licencee wants to take that challenge for a few hundred dollars they might get from a poker tournament. If it is against the law to play poker and serve alcohol then charge Fallsview, Rama etc.
    As for charity tournaments, they are not an issue with the OPP or the OLG unless as stated someone registers a complaint. If you run them regularly as a business you are at risk. Simply don't serve alcohol and avoid the biggest treat. It is still not legal if someone wants to stop you but you will avoid the radar.
  • Meistro wrote: »
    Sit down, shut up and do as your government tells you.

    We get to stand up and tell the government what to do every 4 years or so. DO IT
  • In BC we can host charity Texas Hold em tourneys. There is a Class B gaming license that you apply for and can operate up to 52 events per year (max 20k gross revenue). Many of our charitable organizations use this avenue...but, many don't..lol

    As someone above mentioned..it is typically only when there is a complaint that they act on these type things. I see a ton of pubs running their own poker tourneys for profit that never get shut down even though it is highly illegal here..

    BC certainly seems like the place to be for this game..lol
Sign In or Register to comment.