Legal Issues of running local poker games

[pokerpatduck2]

Would it be legal to run and operate local poker games where no rake is taken. I know a lot of local bars run tournaments where there is no fee except the people are at the bar drinking for hours. Could you apply the same concept to a poker club where there is no rake but instead a system of member fees. Charge them to enter your facility but not rake them making money but keeping it legal. I know this comes close to the line but I think it is very similar to what many bars do. I would like to know that everyone thinks about this idea even thought there is a lot of involved in this and most likely wont get off the ground I would still like to hear what you think.

[CAZ]

Check with your state for the specific law. It varies, but be carefull, its not about the law, its about who interprets the law.

http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Laws/

For instance, in Arizona I spoke with the county attorney about a specific definition... I was curious whether a dealer getting tipped for dealing at a game that wasnt being raked would be in violation of...

ARS
13-3304. Benefiting from gambling; classification

A. Except for amusement or regulated gambling, a person commits benefiting from gambling if he knowingly obtains any benefit from gambling.

B. Benefiting from social gambling as a player is not unlawful under this section.

C. Benefiting from gambling is a class 1 misdemeanor


He wouldnt tell me. i expected that answer, but it was worth a shot(if i could get written conformation of the legality of it)

Why did i ask? Because for years in Colorado ( and in other locales)many home games were run this way...
The game was not raked, because the law speciffically stated that a raked game was illegal( paraphrased). BUT, it was implied and enforced by the players that the dealer was to be tipped, well. The person running the game in turn took a percentage of what the dealers made for the night.
Made it legit for the most part. Now days the laws are more speciffic, and yet ambiguous as the same time. Dangerous ground.
Look up your state, see what it says...

[adioking]

LOL thats the exact same link I was going to give Pat! Good to see that you are posting in here Pat! Best of luck with your site and don't forget I'm always here to help!

dAn