Laws regarding home poker. Whats legal ? whats not ?

OnlinePro · #1 03-05-2007, 11:36 PM

I am thinking of having a bi weekly home game. What is legal what isnt ?

The reason I am a little worried is because i want to make it big approx 50 people.

Is it legal to take a little off the top for expenses ? because feeding 50 people is going to get costly.

Lottery Larry · #2 03-06-2007, 12:20 AM

Check your state laws.

OnlinePro · #3 03-06-2007, 02:31 AM

Where would I find this info for California

NickMPK · #4 03-06-2007, 12:43 PM

Try Here

johnnyrocket · #5 03-06-2007, 12:47 PM

usually illegal to rake otherwise fine, need to check on state laws tho

OnlinePro · #6 03-06-2007, 09:41 PM

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.

Does that pretty much mean, as long as you dont make any money as the organizer of the home game it is not a crime ?

Lottery Larry · #7 03-06-2007, 11:23 PM

Most likely, but again, check on your state and local laws with someone who knows.

allbad · #8 03-07-2007, 12:19 AM

one thing you should keep in mind is the potential for getting robbed. Here in Austin, TX home poker games are very popular and I frequently hear of games getting robbed (yea, and we've got concealled carry laws too). Big player pools and lots of money obviously are the contributing factors to this. If you're going to have $5-10K in one place, over time word gets out and some sore loser may just try to get his money back.

pismeyer · #9 03-07-2007, 09:54 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Does that pretty much mean, as long as you dont make any money as the organizer of the home game it is not a crime ?

[/ QUOTE ]

In Florida, as long as you're not taking a rake you can have a nice game. However, there is a little $10 max pot thing that's still confusing...

P [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Taso · #10 03-07-2007, 11:53 AM

Yeah, as long as you don't make money, aside from playing, you're fine. However, I'm still unsure if you can charge a fee for expenses. You are making money, but not a profit...Not sure about that part.