A tv channel surfer can hardly make a single round without landing on some sort of poker championship. They are everywhere it seems. And admittedly, it's sometimes very entertaining. In fact, ESPN now has a fictional poker drama running called "Tilt." And, it's not half bad.
So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that somebody might want to try their hand at it in the comfort of their own homes. And, why shouldn't they? Well, because it's illegal. The other day a local tv news report told of some people arrested in Hobbs, New Mexico, for gambling. Here's a report of the same incident from krqe.com:
Seven people were arrested (last weekend) in Hobbs after agents with the state Department of Public Safety's Special Investigations Division raided an illegal poker game.
Special agent Lou Mallion says it wasn't a friendly penny-ante game.
So, was it an unfriendly game? Maybe that was the problem. There was also this:
In Albuquerque, undercover agents with the state Gaming Control Board Enforcement Division received a tip that a retailer had a betting pool for the Super Bowl.
The case is still under investigation.
Whoa! Look out for those Super Bowl pools!
Here's the rub. There are casinos all over New Mexico. Here's a list at the New Mexico Tourism Dept. site. And, here's another list at the NM Gaming Control Board site.
So, it's okay to gamble one's life savings away at one of those casinos. But, don't try this at home! It makes no sense.
Now, to put this into a personal perspective, the only gambling I do is with the stock market. And, I would oppose legalizing casino gambling. But, if they are going to have casinos, then if consenting adults want to play poker in their homes then leave those poor schmucks alone.
It's probably because the stakes are very high and the government is not collecting any tax on winnings. Casino's collect out taxes if you win over a certain amount. But those who win high stakes in the privacy of their own home keep it all and don't share with the greedy gov't.
Posted by: Bert9785 | February 13, 2005 at 12:04 AM
Bert, I think you've nailed it.
Posted by: George | February 14, 2005 at 04:03 PM