Washington's Gambling Commission Bans Old Folks Homes' Card Games
Jacob Sullum writes at reason about the Snohomish, Washington city council's considering whether retirees will be allowed to continue playing poker, bridge, and pinochle at the local senior center -- as they have for 25 years:
Five years ago, alarmed at the prospect of for-profit card rooms, the city council passed an ordinance that bans games played for money when any "organization, corporation, or person collects or obtains or charges any percentage of or collects or obtains any portion of the money or thing of value wagered or won by any of the players." That made the games at the senior center illegal, since each participant pays a "donation." No one noticed that the center had become a den of crime until someone ratted out the card players to the Washington State Gambling Commission, which in December ordered them to cease and desist. In response to the outrage provoked by that command, the city council last month approved a measure that allows nonprofit organizations to sponsor money card games until April 30. Now it has to decide what happens after then."We've got a big criminal record," card player Peter Richard tells KING, the NBC affiliate in Seattle. "18 years of playing for dimes!" He adds, regarding the gambling commission's order, "I thought they were off their nut!" Another player, Bill Huested, piles on: "If you gave them an IQ test, the needle wouldn't move."
Do you get the idea that these old dudes should be running things and the city council should be banned from doing anything?
I'd love to see them stage a raid on the nursing homes and make arrests. The perp walk for the local news would be hilarious.
Jim P. at February 6, 2014 5:25 AM
Why are they paying a "donation"? If it is just a friendly game of cards why are they having to pay someone to play?
The Former Banker at February 6, 2014 8:15 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/02/washingtons-gam.html#comment-4240316">comment from The Former BankerWhy are they paying a "donation"? If it is just a friendly game of cards why are they having to pay someone to play?
Why is this anyone's business but those who are paying and donating?
Amy Alkon
at February 6, 2014 8:37 AM
When I was a teen there were about five-six of us that would gather at one of the parent's house each week to drink some beer and play nickel ante poker. About three - four hours. The attendees rotated through bringing in a large snack and we all threw in a few bucks to pay for the beer. The mother in the house would also play.
I think I won the largest pot ever. It was a game of progressive (pair of jacks to open, trips or better to win the pot, ante every time). The pot was like $17.85 and lasted most of an hour.
So going after a bunch of seniors and a nursing home because they are playing for "cash" is the equivalent of prosecuting a person for buying 2 sudafed in a week.
It makes the the cops and prosecutors look good -- but the reality is it had absolutely zero effect on illegal gambling or drugs.
Jim P. at February 6, 2014 7:04 PM
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