Montana
Charity Casino Night Cancelled
As reported by the Billings
Gazette: "There will not be a fundraising
'casino night' Saturday in Laurel. However,
there will be a 'Poker Party Plus.'
"The
Laurel Jaycees' plans for one of its traditional
casino nights to raise money for Project HELP
have been canceled after the state Department
of Justice stepped in.
"Jaycee
Howard Rickard said he received a phone call
from the Justice Department after The Billings
Gazette published an article about the night
of gaming followed by an auction. The Jaycess
have held these events for a number of years
and count its annual spring party as a major
fundraiser, he said.
"The
plan was to hold a casino night to raise money
for playground equipment at a Laurel park. Rickard
said state officials with whom he spoke were
kind, but firm, and told him that casino nights
are illegal if they include games such as blackjack
and roulette, which are banned under Montana
law.
"…After
researching state law and hoping to still entertain
the dozens of people who have purchased tickets
to the event, Rickard said organizers will hold
an entertainment-only - meaning no-risk - game
night.
"The
event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Jaycees
hall at Riverside Park. Admission costs $5 and
gets players $5,000 in fake money to play with
and a fistful of tickets for giveaways, which
will be drawn during the night…"
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