Dave ([info]bigdauntless) wrote in [info]poker,
2004-02-26 00:24:00

Poker Club Raided

The Redman's poker club in Austin was raided earlier tonight. The raid went much more smoothly than APC which was busted over a year ago. It only took an hour and a half to process most people. Some of the same cops were at both raids and recognized some of the players. They were harder on everyone -- the players all got citations (class C misdemeanors) and most of the employees were arrested and taken to jail.

I'm pretty annoyed with the citation. I'm tempted to fight it but that would be costly and probably get me nowhere. The APC trial hasn't happnened yet and I'd like to see how that goes.

The Redman's club claims they are legal because they don't have a rake. Instead they "request" that people make a $5 donation to the Redman's (a charitable organization) every half hour. In theory some of the money they collect actually does go to the charity.

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  • 13 comments

[info]harryh

February 25 2004, 22:40:59 UTC 8 years ago

Is poker illegal in Texas (I'm ignorant of the law down there)?
I'm assuming that the "request" is a de facto requirement?

That really sucks. Stupid outdated laws. Best of luck if you decide to fight.

[info]propsero

February 25 2004, 23:44:10 UTC 8 years ago

See here for my summary of Texas gambling law. In this case, it's someone receiving an economic benefit outside of playing the game that makes it illegal. Unfortunately in Texas, even if the donation was truly voluntary the game is still probably going to be found to be illegal in the courts. Even just tipping a dealer or waitress likely makes the game illegal.

[info]bigdauntless

February 25 2004, 23:45:16 UTC 8 years ago

Yeah. Poker is illegal in Texas. I'm pretty familliar with the law and I would think that this club breaks it. The important clause of the law that is breaks is "anyone other than the players receives an economic benefit from the game". That means that a home game is pretty much legal is there is no rake but a place with paid dealers and a rake (or time charge in this case) is not legal.

It is too bad that they are busting these games that are so friendly. Poker is amazingly popular. It seems that there is a poker show on some channel at any given time. Internet poker takes a lot of money out of the US economy. The club provided a safe place. I can find other games in town but I have to worry more about being robbed or paying higher rakes.

[info]propsero

February 25 2004, 23:54:20 UTC 8 years ago

How much was the fine for?

[info]bigdauntless

February 26 2004, 07:21:23 UTC 8 years ago

I don't know yet. The cops really downplayed it like it wasn't a big deal so I'm guessing $150. One friend who is a lawyer wannabe says that class C can go up to $500. I think I have to show up in court to tell the judge whether or not I want a trial. It's possible I can mail in a "guilty" or "no contest" plea. I might go to court just to see how the system works.

[info]harryh

February 26 2004, 15:36:46 UTC 8 years ago

But you also lost the money you had in play durring the raid right?

[info]bigdauntless

March 1 2004, 09:46:06 UTC 8 years ago

Yeah but I only had $35 left. I got a receipt thing for that.

At the last raid I had over $200 in chips. I think I still have the receipt but I don't expect to see that money. That case hasn't been tried yet but I've herad thatyou often don't get back your confiscated evidence in those situations. And I'm sure the owners will only honor the chips if they get their confiscated cash back, which will likely only happen if they win.

[info]ex_phantasm853

February 26 2004, 04:42:10 UTC 8 years ago

Interesting story, thanks. There's a "club" in Virginia that I've thought about playing at, but I was worried about the legality of it. They only have tournaments, and you have to be a member to play. Membership is $10 per month. There is no rake or other "fees", and the winners receive prizes instead of cash. Your story sheds some more light on it. Thanks.

[info]tbgoldman

February 26 2004, 16:10:46 UTC 8 years ago

Reading your post reminded me of this article that I read a few weeks ago: http://www.clevescene.com/issues/2004-02-04/feature.html/1/index.html. It's about an illegal gambling ring operating in Ohio that used their "charity" games as a cover for all kinds of illegal activities.

[info]guito

February 28 2004, 21:02:20 UTC 8 years ago

Not really related to your post, but I thought I'd add something anyway:

To all people who currently work at a casino as a dealer and are thinking about working in a club like this to supplement your income, think about whether it is really worth it or not. If you work in Canada/USA and get caught, you will lose your gaming license and will likely never be able to get one again. Your whole career is down the tubes. The money in this type of place is really good, considering the time you put in, but do the benefits really outweigh the risks?

From someone who now has 5 fewer (really good!) co-workers.

[info]bigdauntless

March 1 2004, 09:53:11 UTC 8 years ago

There is no federal agency that regulates gaming. In Texas just about all gambling is illegal and therefore there is no agency to license a dealer. One of the club's dealers used to work in Nevada. Are you saying that when she was arrested they were able to determine that she was licensed in Nevada and were able to get her license revoked?

[info]guito

March 1 2004, 12:08:55 UTC 8 years ago

No, and I didn't mean to imply that I knew the people in this specific case, but in Nevada, like most places, you are required to report to the gaming commission any criminal convictions and that may affect whether or not they will let you keep your license, give you conditions on your license, suspend it etc. If she doesn't report it, they will very likely find out when she goes to renew her license or applies to get a license in another state, and will not be able to get it.

There is no national gaming authority, but every state's gaming authority will check your criminal background.

Anonymous

March 17 2004, 21:25:22 UTC 8 years ago

Redmans Poker club

Where could I get a newspaper article concerning this bust?

Thanks

Gary

gm@kimcoservices.us
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