Poker tournament bill advances

02/24/2005

February 24, 2005

A Senate committee gave its blessing Wednesday to a bill putting Texas Hold’em poker tournaments in the same class as gin, cribbage and bridge.

The bill would allow the tournaments in bars and businesses as long as hosts don’t directly profit from the play and prizes don’t exceed $200.

The action by the Senate Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming Committee is only step one for the bill, sponsored by Sen. Dave Kleis, R-St. Cloud. He introduced it after a bowling alley in his district was raided by gambling regulators.