Home / Poker News November 2008 / Menendez looking to expand live poker in Texas
Menendez looking to expand live poker in Texas
Posted by: James Carter. - Tue, 2008-11-25 23:04
Seeking to curb the violence associated with underground poker, the Poker Gaming Act of 2009 would also support the homeless by directing poker revenue towards specific programs.
The state which gave poker’s most popular variant its name
Texas Hold’em, will get yet another chance to expand the availability of the game within legal bounds. Dem. Representative Jorge Menendez has introduced his bill titled “Poker Gaming Act of 2009” seeking a wider legal framework for live poker cash games and tournaments in the state of Texas.
This one is his second attempt to push through legislation aimed at poker as his first bill ran ashore at the committee level in 2007.
H.B. 222 (his first attempt) was introduced at a time when a string of robberies hit the illegal underground poker scene in Texas. One of these robberies even had a victim who was shot dead in Arlington at the end of a botched robbery attempt.
Menendez’s bill aimed to correct the situation which gave birth to all the violence by promoting a legal and safe environment which would keep poker games from going underground.
His current proposal is basically a revision of H.B 222 completed with some new ideas regarding the regulation of the game as well as destination of the funds generated by legal poker.
Legal poker providers like charitable organizations, social clubs, bars and taverns would operate under the authority of the Texas Lottery Commission which would establish the licensing requirements with other state agencies.
50% of the revenue generated by legalized poker would go to addressing the issue of the homeless, assistance and shelter renovation and construction, medical assistance, psychological counseling, supervision and homeless prevention programs.
Under Menedez’s bill, poker tournaments would also be allowed, but only to a maximum buy-in of $100 and $30 in tournament fees. Electronic poker tables would also be legalized, and – because the bill would require live tables to use new decks after every 50 hands played – would probably be preferred on account of the lower operating costs.
Bonuses would also be legal, but the cap on them would be a maximum of $250.
When asked about what he aims to achieve through his re-introduced bill, Rep. Menendez said that since poker is played every day in the state anyway, his proposed legislation would make sure it is played under civilized and legal circumstances.
