Ethics

Victory in Pennsylvania Poker Prosecution

By Ed Brayton

A judge in Pennsylvania has dismissed charges against two people who were arrested for running an illegal gambling operation - a simple home game of $1/$2 hold em.

"The Court finds that Texas Hold'em poker is a game where skill predominates over chance. Thus, it is not 'unlawful gambling' under the Pennsylvania Code." That was the order of Columbia County, Pennsylvania Judge Thomas James.

The case included two defendants, Walter Watkins and Diane Dent, who were involved in running a $1/$2 no-limit Hold'em game at Watkins' house. The only game played was Texas Hold'em and no rake was charged. However, the players were encouraged to tip dealers from pots won.

Full post as published by Dispatches from the Culture Wars on January 25, 2009 (boomark / email).