Texas HB 222 Passes 6-3

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texas-hb-2221For the second time, Texas has passed a bill out of the House Committee attempting to legalize poker in the Lone Star State.  Not too long ago, the HB 222 vote was 6-3 sending the bill on its way up the hill.  Hopefully, we will have a date set soon.  I will certainly keep you posted. 

Thank you for all the support so many of you  have shown.  Keep up the emails to your State Representatives!

Texas Charity Poker Iffy

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houston-to-new-orleansLeave it to Pokerati Dan to have more scoop on the latest legalization of poker in Texas.  He posted today on the legalization of charity events, which has always been vague on… “can we? or can’t we have this tournament?”  Charity events are a nice way to play poker while helping others at the same time.  Unfortunately, Texas Hold’em is only legal if it’s played in a private setting without a rake and blah, blah, blah something about alcohol.

Seems to me, it would be horrible for charities to raise funds to help cancer patients survive simply because:

1.  players might cheat in a charity poker tournament.

2. Texas charity poker tournaments might reduce money traveling to Louisiana casinos.

3.  poker tournament winners might not have to pay taxes on a prize after charity write-off.

4.  players might make a decision with their own brain to play a poker charity event with income they’ve earned.

5. charity poker tournaments might cause the government to form a new commission or W-Whatever form to regulate such events when it would make more sense to spend more money trying to prevent it from happening.

6.  Charity poker tournaments might send all gala/ball guests to hell.

7.  legalization of such events may reduce campaign contributions.

8.  Multi-Millionares may go broke after playing in a 300 – 500 buy-in charity poker tournament.

9.  It’s far better for poker players to play in underground games risking legal problems, gun-shot wounds, cheating and high rakes because if they play poker then that’s the life they deserve.

Legalizing Poker in Texas

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texasIt’s ironic the most popular game in poker, Texas  Holdem, is illegal to play in the State of Texas.  OK, it’s legal to play in a private setting without a rake and there are some other gray areas in regards to charity events etc.  But a legal card room? Forget it.

This year Rep. Jose Menendezwill make another attempt in legalizing the game.   Let’s hope the old rumors of Louisiana getting involved (due to fear of losing Texas customers) won’t kill the bill.

Read more on Pokerati.

photo courtesy www.texasfairtrade.org