Veterans posts raided for illegal gambling

Police have struck again in Texas as two veterans posts were raided for illegal gambling in Dallas last weekend. Poker games at the AmVets Post No. 106, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1837 were raided in consecutive nights.

The first raid came Friday evening at the AmVets post where three operators will face charges and six players were issued citations. The VFW bust took place Saturday evening, resulting in 11 cases against operators and 47 citations.

In both cases, approximately 10% of the pot was pocketed by the house, which makes the games illegal.

According to Lt. Christina Smith of the Dallas police, poker operations become illegal when the house takes a cut from the pot.

"The money paid in should be the same amount paid out," Smith said in the KHOU Dallas morning news. She also said games should take place in a private setting.

At the VFW, police were told that the proceeds withheld from the game would be used for the ladies' auxiliary. There was no indication at AmVets what the money was going to be used for.

Keeping an illegal gambling place is a Class A misdemeanor and punishable with up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The players issued citations face fines up to $500.

courtesy of Sarah Polson

News Added: 20 April, 2007

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