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How Bad Can
Charitable Poker Tournaments Be?
If poker rooms are a
legal commodity in the state of California, or anywhere else for
that matter, then why should it be such a concern for some that
non-profit organizations are throwing an increasing amount of
charitable poker tournaments to raise money for their causes?
Is it really necessary for the Attorney General's Office to go
around threatening $5,000 fines or up to one year in prison if
anyone is caught participating in an illegal poker tournament to
raise money for charities? Or, should all groups go through
the appropriate channels and organize their poker tournaments to be
held at legal poker rooms, as was the case for Jewish Big Brothers
and Big Sisters in Los Angeles, who brought in nearly $25,000 from
their fundraiser?
Well, according to
several non-profit organizations, the way to go is to organize a
private tournament. Not only are you exempt from paying out
the poker room a portion of the rake (which probably is very steep
at most rooms), the tournament can be operated in more of familial
environment, rather than be surrounded by competition and noisy slot
machines. The Make-a-Wish Foundation did such a thing, and
netted over $60,000 back in August of this year. It probably
helped to have Kings player, Luc Robitaille, host the event; Yet,
Texas Hold'em tournaments have been sprouting up all over the
place...and raking in big bucks.
The way I look at it is
that if the St. Mel Catholic Church is going to hold charitable
tournaments on their own accord, there shouldn't be much worry from
the Attorney General. It is all in good fun, for a good cause,
and is not taking away from the business of local poker rooms.
If people want to win money, they will go to a full-fledged poker
room or play online. If they want to donate their money to a
charity, while having a good time, then they will play in a
charitable tournament. Either way, these individuals will most
likely end up donating their money in the first place.
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