How to legally pay a dedicated dealer in Florida for home game? Tips only? Hourly? Flat Rate? (1 Viewer)

[Brickrode]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to start a "casino party" company in Florida, but starting out REALLY small and very slowly. Starting with myself and one poker table where people can rent my table and chips for fairly cheap, or they can rent all the same stuff plus hire me to deal their game for them! (I have a full time job, so it doesn't bother me to start very slow)...BUT...what are the legalities with hiring me to deal?....let's say it's at a cash game at a random person's (customer's) house. Can I charge them a flat fee? Am I only allowed to take tips?

 

[ThrowBack]

Following

 

[Strike]

Tips are not taken out of the rake and there is no rake, if its at someone else's house then you're providing a service. I of course would talk to a competent tax lawyer

 

[Strike]

https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/Chapter849/All

 

[Strike]

Home Poker Games & Florida Law​

Unlike some states in the USA, private home poker games are specifically outlined in the Florida Penal Code. If you read Chapter 849 of state law, it plainly states that a person is “guilty of a charge of the third degree if he owns or operates a house or room for the purpose of gambling or gaming,” unless, and this is crucial for home game legality, it is simply a penny-ante game.

Yes, Florida limits home card games to penny antes only, but they must also limit their pot sizes to a $10 maximum. Also, everyone participating must be at least eighteen years old, and there is the familiar American restriction against charging any sort of entry fee, participation fee, or pot-raking. For poker players in Florida who want to wager at higher limits, know that not a single case has ever been filed against a citizen for playing at higher-stakes poker games, so it appears unlikely that Florida authorities would attempt to shut down a private home poker game, as long as it doesn’t involve organized crime.

 

[kaysirtap]

This thread is from a few months ago, but I'm curious if you ever pursued this. I'm sure there are plenty of casino party companies in Florida, but I can't say what is and isn't legal according to the comment above. "Owns and operates a house or room for the purpose of gambling or gaming" sounds distinctly different than having a casino party that involves people playing poker for money. That law sounds similar to what would be legal or illegal here in New York, but there are events like that all the time. However, for the most part, it is always the host that handles any kind of cash transactions. The dealer is just there to deal. It's honestly better for you that someone else handles the money anyway. Here in NY... yes, flat fee (or hourly, your choice), yes you can accept tips. You might want to check if you need to be registered with the local gaming commission however, even if it's all for entertainment purposes only.