Another strike to Texas (Dallas) poker (2 Viewers)

[CraigT78]

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/...ld-legal-poker-room-city-council-hadnt-folded

So the Texas Card Room out of Austin was very close to getting the thumbs up to open a room in Dallas, but got sucked out on the river. Guess someone kickback check was lost in the mail.

 

[Jonesey07]

Can't read the article. Can you summarize?

 

[CraigT78]

Can't read the article. Can you summarize?

State of Texas has more than 30 poker rooms. Owner of the most popular room in Austin (and possibly the original) secured a lease at a location in Dallas. Filed for the permits after securing the lease. A wrinkle in the plan came up as one corporation who owned more than 20% of the nearby land, objected. The landowner filed an objection with the city: "I do not think a gambling establishment is consistent with the Midtown vision." So it had to go to City Council for vote. City law requires 3/4 approval - or 12 votes. But with the mayor out of town, only eight signed off, even after North Dallas council member Lee Kleinman insisted it was legal since the house isn't taking a rake. Three of the council members who voted against are in southern Dallas: Rickey Callahan, Carolyn King Arnold and Kevin Felder. They've all got illegal gambling houses in their districts. They all believed this was just more of that.

Felder was especially vehement in his protestations: "I have a problem with this," he said. "Very seriously. I think this is an end-run around the gambling law in the state of Texas. I have grave concerns about this because it would set precedent to go around state law."

The article goes on to talk about state law and how the 30+ rooms are operating around it. The Dallas opinion is this falls under our non-existent Dallas Police Vice department which was cut due to staffing. It is getting back off the ground now, and illegal poker might become a priority. Dallas has a large number of underground games.

Finally, another person is attempting another location in NorthWest Dallas that is zoned for multi-use entertainment and she has consulted with her council member, Jennifer Staubach Gates, and talked to DPD Chief U. Reneé Hall and higher-ups in vice.

"And they all said if I wanted to proceed, I could," Black said, "but I should have a very good attorney."

 

[Jonesey07]

Ugh. I just wish that in the land of the free, I'd be free to play poker whenever and wherever I want.

 

[mike32]

Well @CraigT78 this is probably better for your thriving home game scene. I say screw the raked card rooms and enjoy the home games. And from what I’ve seen you throw a helluva home game!

 

[CraigT78]

Well @CraigT78 this is probably better for your thriving home game scene. I say screw the raked card rooms and enjoy the home games. And from what I’ve seen you throw a helluva home game!

Your statement is very accurate, but there is only so much 'friendly' money to go around. Granted I have several options for rake free cash games, I'd like the reassurance that I'm not going to get robbed, by either a street walker, or Dallas SWAT. I also don't care to pay $175 for a round trip Uber to hit the Oklahoma casinos (which are profitable for sure) to have to beat that rake and the transportation costs. (Screw driving, I drink while I play). Ultimately I'd like to open my own card room in Dallas, as I think I have the experience running games and the ability to turn a nice profit. Alas, I live in a state where being a degen is immoral

 

[RainmanTrail]

As Texas continues to turn more purple, this will probably change. I don't know how long it will take, but even in the great state of Texas, people are abandoning the religious views that underlie these laws. It's only a matter of time. Hopefully sooner than later.

 

[CraigT78]

even in the great state of Texas, people are abandoning the religious views that underlie these laws.

I'm not so sure if it's people abandoning their views, or if it's the number of people moving to Texas who never held them in the first place - but either way one can hope.

 

[dkersey]

@CraigT78 That room would have been close to you. Oh well, nothing can top your room anyway. You're the one that ought to be charging something to play on your room!