Company Sues
to Affirm Legality of No-Money Poker
Company Sues to Affirm Legality
of No-Money Poker By staffA company has sued five
law enforcement agencies that say poker tournaments
run without money wagers are still illegal.
Charlotte-based 5th Street Entertainment LLC, which
organizes poker tournaments, said the agencies have
cost its business by declaring the games illegal
and warning that restaurants or bars that host them
could lose their state liquor licenses. The tournaments
have been forced to stop awarding prizes.
North Carolina's gambling statute 'requires that
something of value be bet in order to be considered
gambling. This is merely a game people get together
and play,' company attorney William Bunting said.
The Graduate, a downtown Charlotte restaurant,
runs poker games two nights a week, but does not
offer prizes. According to general manager Chris
Sheridan, the games are a really good promotion
for them and no one has told him they are illegal.
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