A controversial Houston poker club has caused controversy by reopening during the COVID-19 restrictions.
The Prime Social Club in West Houston, Texas, USA, started spreading games again on Monday with the club maxing out at 25% capacity.
This comes only one year after the club hit the headlines following a raid that led to it being shut down for four months.
Houston Poker Taking All Precautions to Restart
US poker rooms have been shut for two months following the COVID-19 pandemic, but it seems that there is now a determined will to get up and running.
Populations around the world are itching to get back to normal and the poker community is no different.
Even though the reopening goes against all lockdown rules, it looks like they are getting away with it. The US has more than any other country championed its right to freedom and, legally or not, they are starting to get back on with life.
The poker club is still behaving sensibly and carrying out checks on employees and patrons entering the building with a temperature scanner.
Social distancing rules are, of course, in place with only seating at every other table. Players per table cannot exceed six, which is reasonable if maybe pushing it in the eyes of the authorities.
The Las Vegas Journal reported recently that the Nevada Gaming Control Board was recommending four players maximum per table.
Houston Poker Under Attack
The Prime Social Club is no stranger to controversy. In May 2019 authorities raided the premises following a two year investigation into money laundering.
This came on top of an already precarious legal situation in which the right to run poker games in the state of Texas was being questioned.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg put out a statement linking the running of card games to organised crime syndicates.
Ogg said,
“Poker rooms are illegal in the state of Texas. We are changing the paradigm regarding illegal gambling by moving up the criminal chain and pursuing felony money laundering and engaging in organized crime charges against owners and operators. Players are not being targeted.”
Ogg’s view on the law doesn’t appear to be black and white, however. There are some clear stipulations that do in fact allow for the running of card games.
- The player is in a private place.
- No one profits from hosting the game.
- The risk of losing and chances of winning are the same for all participants.
Pushing their Luck
By July 2019 the charges were dropped by the District Attorney citing a “conflict of interest”. The files relating to organised crime and money laundering were passed onto the FBI who haven’t taken the matter any further.
Today the owners of the Houston poker club are riding their luck. Maybe they feel untouchable with popular opinion being to get back to normal as soon as possible.
Also, if the FBI didn’t come knocking then their club can no longer be accused of being illegal. The District Attorney’s office refused to say anything when asked for comment.
Wayne Dolcefino, a spokesman for the Prime Social Club, said,
“This is a private club and we are following the guidance of clubs and casinos open all across the country,”
Real money poker is also one of the ways people can feel their life is returning to normal. KPRC News spoke to patrons arriving and leaving the venue to get some opinions.
Erin Lee, a long time poker player, said,
“Poker is my life, I play it almost every day. I have been taking walks and working out, but it’s time to get back to reality,”
Check out the latest poker news to see what’s been going on in the poker world.
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