Texas House Hears Testimony On Legalizing Poker
April 4th, 2007 by fonzerelli_79
The House Committee for Licensing and Administrative Procedures heard testimony Tuesday to legalize poker games in Texas.
House Bill 3186 would legalize gambling on poker games, and the Texas Lottery Commission would provide oversight and age regulations. A percentage of the profits would go to the state.
The committee chairman vowed to kill the legislation, but bill author Rep. Jose Menendez said he has support from other lawmakers.
“Like it or not, thousands and thousands of people are playing poker every day,” said poker professional Michele Lewis. “It’s a matter of whether or not the government wants to protect those players, and basically, do they want a cut?”
Poker professionals and Texas natives Lewis and Clonie Gowen said underground games are not safe for players, and they are against the law.
“I think it’s time that we step up here as Texans and make it safer for people that are going to play,” Gowen said.
The bill would allow establishments that hold a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission license to host games. Players would have to be 21, and the state could profit, along with the players.
“I don’t think we should have poker card rooms in every neighborhood bar or in every warehouse,” Menendez said. “I think you should have it out in the open at certain locations where we can assure the public that they are safe and secure.”
Menendez said he hopes the money will go to charities and ease the burden on taxpayers.
“At the end of the day some of the conservative estimates are that the state could reap somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 million a year,” Menendez said.
While supporters of the bill said it is a game of skill, opponents argued it was one of chance and should remain illegal.
Source : EOG