Poker Home Games rummy nabob 777to Be Legalized in North Carolina?

Table Of Contents

• Bill Will Benefit North Carolina Poker Players
• Opposition to the Bill

A bill to provide legal protection for private poker home game players in North Carolina advanced through a House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

The Tar Heel State has strict gambling laws, which include criminalizing home games. It's rare for criminal actions to be taken against those who play poker in bars or a private residence, however. But Rep. David Willis (R) seeks to ensure those who do will never have to worry about facing prosecution.

Bill Will Benefit North Carolina Poker Players

Online poker is illegal in North Carolina, a state with over 11 million residents, and the only land-based card room is located inside Harrah's Cherokee, a regular home for World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) action. But state law only permits gambling in tribal casinos, sports betting, or a state-sponsored lottery.

Rep. Willis is attempting to make some changes that will benefit poker players, and he's closing in on accomplishing that goal. The Republican politician seeks to amend General Statutes 14-309 on lotteries and gaming by adding a fourth section. The law currently classifies the first offense as a Class 1 misdemeanor, the second offense a Class H felony, and the third offense a Class G felony.

Willis' proposed House Bill 424, originally introduced March 17, seeks to provide that the laws regulating gaming do not apply to certain social games played in a private residence, home, or community clubhouse. At present, it is illegal to host a poker home game regardless of stakes.

The amended law would allow for the legalization of private residence or community clubhouse wagering on board games and games of tiles, cards, or dice. But there are a few stipulations, including slot machines, which would remain illegal. The host of the game would also not be permitted to collect rake or charge an admission or seat fee to play.

Willis also proposes his amendment include the following restriction: "No person receives any direct or indirect economic, financial, or monetary benefit other than personal winnings."

North Carolina HB424 passed the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday via a 7-3 vote. Willis told WRAL, Raleigh's NBC affiliate, the types of games people are playing in their homes shouldn't be busted by law enforcement.

“Nobody's betting the farm,” he said. “Nobody's losing a mortgage. Folks have been getting together and doing this long before any of us were alive and they’ll continue long after we're gone.”

Opposition to the Bill

There are some detractors, however. Democratic Rep. Pricey Harrison and Republican Rep. Dean Arp oppose the bill.

“I appreciate what you're trying to do and I understand it's crazy that you can't play poker and exchange dollar bills or whatever the stakes are in your house or in your clubhouse,” Harrison told WRAL. “But at the same time, I do have concerns … about how this is being interpreted and potentially expanded to something that you all aren’t intending.”

Arp has some concerns with the wording of the amended bill permitting gambling in a community clubhouse or "similar structure."

“The way this bill is written … you can open this up to casino style gaming tables across the state, possibly inadvertently,” Arp said.

Those who oppose the bill also point to the proposal potentially inadvertently causing an expansion in organized gambling rings. Willis said he'd be willing to reword the bill to ensure there are no loopholes.

The bill will soon advance to the North Carolina Senate for consideration.