Canadian authorities raid Alberta poker house in Edmonton

Canadian authorities raid Alberta poker house in Edmonton

11:12 AM, Saturday, March 25, 2006by Lianne Elias

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) led a late-night raid at a downtown Edmonton poker house earlier this month together with a tactical unit from the city's police force, it has been revealed. According to the Edmonton Sun, the bust ended a six-month undercover operation by investigators at the AGLC, and resulted in the arrest of 12 people.

Out of the 11 men and 1 woman detained, the AGLC said three "face charges of operating a common gaming house and nine face charges of playing poker or being present in a common gaming house."

The AGLC believes the operators of the gaming house were collecting rake from each poker hand dealt in the poker club, an illegal act under Alberta law.

"It's not illegal to play poker in your basement. It becomes illegal when it's a commercial operation - when the house takes a cut," said AGLC spokesman Robyn Cochrane.

Cochrane said only gaming activities run by the provincial authorities are considered legal under Alberta law.

The Sun said the late-night poker club was known for its affluent clientele and high stakes games that ran two to three times per week.

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Comments

  • Good thing we don't have any of that crap going on around here.
  • so all the host woul dhave to do is not rake and it woud be fine. he would merely have to secretly ask for a flat rate for coming in to make money / cover expenses..
  • Pssssst...hey buddy...you're not an undercover cop right?...O.K....$10 bucks playing fee. What?....no, wait!!!!...that's not REALLY a rake...no...wait...but...handcuffs??!!
  • MDSGuy wrote:
    Good thing we don't have any of that crap going on around here.

    huh, which one?

    underground poker clubs that take a rake, or cops busting underground poker clubs that take a rake. Cause last time I checked we got both. :D
  • MDSGuy wrote:
    Good thing we don't have any of that crap going on around here.

    huh, which one?

    underground poker clubs that take a rake, or cops busting underground poker clubs that take a rake.  Cause last time I checked we got both.  :D

    I think he meant the affluent clientele part. ;)
  • Atleast they didnt spend TOO much time and resources on shutting down a poker game....
  • The only reason it's illegal is because the government doesn't get a "their share". They're like to the mod. We can play poker, but only on their terms.
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