Legal Advice Alabama

[Skallagrim]

I would start with something along the following lines:

1) form a real social club - have a name, bylaws and a formal membership roll, possibly dues to cover expenses like rent and such.
2) get a place in the name of the social club, do not allow non-members to enter (except maybe as guests accompanying members)
3) NEVER charge anything for playing poker, but allow members to play their own games in the club. Dealers should also be members, tipping them voluntarily for dealing that night SHOULD be OK.
4) Do not advertise or promote by any means other than the spoken word.

The above would SEEM to meet the law, not being from AL I really cannot say for certain. Thats why you should still seek out a local lawyer. A lot of the details will have been established in cases in other contexts and the lawyer should be able to seek that out. For example, can the club charge for beer or must members bring their own. If the club sells beer is that profiting from the game? Some places it is, some places it isnt. Those are the kind of details you pay a lawyer to figure out.

Good luck

Skallagrim