How to Avoid Poker Raids on Your Friendly Poker Games

There appears to be a rise in gambling busts over the past few months in the United States with the latest coming in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Poker games are the latest target of law enforcement officials as they raided a gambling den where high stakes Texas Hold-em was being played from 10 pm until dawn, six days a week.

Investigators said the organizers were taking a cut of each game played (rake), and the law distinguishes this as the difference between a gambling operation and a cordial poker game among friends.

Three residents of the apartment were charged with maintaining a gambling resort, which is a fourth-degree crime, and a fourth man was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Advice from Bergen County Prosecutor, John L. Molinelli was, "Instead of splitting up the costs of chips and beverages and paying your host for supplying it, have everyone bring the chips, pretzels and refreshments to the game, this way there will never be a question over just how legal your game is."

December 1, 2007
Posted By Bob Hartman
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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