HOME POKER - Home Game Setup - Home Poker Law
 

Home Game Setup - Home Poker Law

Hi there. I wanted to discuss gambling law in Ohio. I'm basing my arguments on a copy of the law found at:
[url]http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Laws/Ohio/[/url]
so I may be out of date.

The definition of "games of chance" (2915.01-D) includes poker. However, there is a separate definition for "games of chance conducted for profit" (2915.01-E) in which someone is running the game for income. The law against gambling (2915.02-A) forbids the latter category (GoCCfP) outright but only forbids the former (GoC) when it is a significant source of income. The section describing a "gambling house" (2915.03) refers back to the prior section (2915.02). There is a third section forbidding games of chance in public places (2915.04).

By these standards, it seems that someone who runs a poker game in a private place is not breaking the law, so long as they don't charge a fee or rake. Similarly, someone playing in such a game would be legal so long as they are not playing professionally.

My thinking is that a recreational, low-stakes home poker game is legal in Ohio. Do you think this is reasonable, or am I making a wishful interpretation?

Hey, I am moving to the Portland area soon and was wondering if you knew anything about Oregon laws for setting up home games. Also, is a 100 dollar buy-in no limit cash game considered "low limit"? thanks for the help.

Hiya,
I am inquiring for anyone's input as to whether dealing for someoe's home game is illegal or not!

If I was to take no rake or hourly charge but charge a service fee before the gme for supplying gear and dealer would that be considered illegal?

I've been asked to do so in Colorado but even so would like to know the legal opinions state to state!

Cheers,
JD

Why can i not find any info on home poker laws for colorado??

Is there anything on Oregon laws?

Oregon Laws
 

Yeah, it says that you can't bang the livestock just because it's cold.

mike

State laws for NC ? Anyone know for home gaming?

I wanted to confirm organising a small poker tournament is legal or not....taking litle bit of guest charges and sponsers and keepng food items will fetch sumthng to the organisers and the winner of poker will get big prize money or gift....plezzz do reply....

I think it would depend on what state you are in.

Ohio Poker laws
 

I live in Ohio. You have the law interpreted correctly. You can have a private game for any stakes you want as long as nobody profits from entree fees, rake in any form, or paying the dealer in any way. There are some card clubs that allow members to play on premise, they get around the law by having a membership for the club and they self deal. You can't play legally in bars.

A casual reading of California's Gambling Control Act might give one the impression that home games are illegal, IF one makes the assumption that Poker is "Gambling".

But read further and we find that Section 19805(j) defines "Gambling" as a "controlled game", and Section 19805(e) refers us to subdivision (e) of Section 337(j) of the Penal Code for a definition of "controlled game".

Jump to Penal Code 337(j), and we find-

"(2) As used in this section, "controlled game" does NOT include any of the following:
- (A) The game of bingo conducted pursuant to Section 326.5.
- (B) Parimutuel racing on horse races regulated by the California Horse Racing Board.
- (C) Any lottery game conducted by the California State Lottery.
- (D) Games played with cards in private homes or residences, in which no person makes money for operating the game, except as a player."

While there might be other laws banning home poker games in California, a thorough reading of the Gambling Control Act makes it clear that it does not restrict home games.

whats are the laws in kansas ?

I am new to this state and moved from a state where home games were allowed. Tennesse law states "A person guilty of gambling has committed a Class C misdemeanor. A person guilty of organizing, promoting, moderating gambling is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor". Does this mean that a home owner cannot have a private game with very low stakes (say less than $100) where ony the winners take the pot??? Or are we not allowed to have a home game period?? Thank you for any information.

Both links to the online Florida Statutes (above) are official sources. The first is the Florida Legislature's site (House and Senate) and the second is from the Florida Senate's site. They are both the same complete collection of the official Florida Statutes. We can only legally have very low stakes home games. If you want to legally play higher stakes poker, you have to go to either a Native American casino poker room or one in a parimutuel facility. On the other hand, it is rare, but certainly not unheard of, for law enforcement to raid home games and/or to prosecute participants.