HOME POKER - Home Game Setup - Home Poker Law

[JeffeVerde]

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.