Atlanta Home Game Raids

Atlanta Home Game Raids

Hat tip to Pokerati for finding the story of a reason police raid on a suburban home poker game last week. These stories are becoming more and more common as police are busy busting "raked" games (a non-raked poker game were the house receives no compensation is generally accepted by state laws). This house was kind of asking for it, as pointed out by Wicked Chops Poker for details on easily the authorites found the high stakes game follow the reporting from a local TV station:

In all, 52 people were rounded up Tuesday night at the Poker palace in Jonesboro. All have been charged with misdemeanor gambling. Wayne Reinhardt, one of the owners, has also been charged with keeping a place of gambling and possession of gambling equipment, both felonies.

The sting came after a monthlong investigation by the Clayton County Sheriff's Office vice unit. Hill said the casino — which had a sign out front saying Poker Palace and is literally down the street from the sheriff's office — had been operating for about two years.

"Your question is my question," Hill responded when asked how the casino could operate so close to law enforcement. "That infuriates me."

Whether those arrested knew they were breaking the law is irrelevant, he said.

"Ignorance is no excuse under the law," Hill said. "You can't walk into a courtroom and say, 'I didn't know."'

Hill said players came to the Poker Palace and were admitted by recommendation or came with someone already familiar with the establishment. Inside, they could play poker or the slot machines.

I'm not the authority on home games as five dollars is considered a big bet while playing follow-the-queen, but shouldn't a little tact be used while hiding a currently illegal cardroom? The supposed bribe towards an official, also brings to question whether the players involved thought they were doing anything wrong.



2 Comments

  1. Butch Howard says:

    Georgia has very strict gambling laws. All gambling is illegal except the state-run lottery, licensed raffles, and licensed bingo. There are also exceptions written into the law to exclude ‘crane’ games and ski-ball type games that fit some narrow rules. The law does not include exceptions for un-raked games or games run for charity.

    Everything else is illegal.

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

    Stupid laws, but that what we have to work around until they are changed (fat chance in Georgia).

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