Poker Documentary Question

[niapDNAedirp]

I am a grad student looking to do a documentary on college poker players at the university I attend... and I have no idea what legal implications need to be considered.

For example, If i go and shoot a house game where 9 guys are pushing around a couple grand, can the footage be used against them... can they be arrested? What else? ETC... Do you think there is any chance i could get camera in a casino?
Thanks,
DNA

[Vern]

It depends.
What jurisdiction, what are the ages, what are the rules of the game, does the couse get a cut and lots of others I cannot think of right now. If anything they do constitutes a crime, then yes, your footage can be used against them. Getting camera's into casino's happens all the time. There are shows on TV, but they have deals with the casinos. I would suggest you start by approaching the management of a casino or have your professor write them a letter. If it is a legitimate college project, they are more likely to entertain the request than if it is a just from a college kid. The letter from the professor would help.

[Nickelcity]

I don't think that evidence would hold up in court very well, especially considering there is no victim in a fair game of poker. What is to say they are not acting in a staged game for the camera, and who at that table would incriminate himself by providing sworn testimony about anyone else at the table?

I don't think you or the subjects in your doc would have anything to worry about at a home game.

Vern makes a good suggestion regarding gaining casino access.