Bar owner vows fight over poker tourneys

LORAIN -- When officials from the Ohio Department of Public Safety raided Kennedy's Broadway Billiards on March 13 to stop tavern owner Mike Kennedy from hosting free poker tournaments, Kennedy said it spurred him to dig in and fight.

He also is fighting to keep the state liquor control board from possibly yanking his liquor license for holding what the state defines as games of chance if the state deems he violated gambling laws.

Kennedy, his attorney and Mayor Craig Foltin told about 90 of Kennedy's supporters during a rally at his bar yesterday that they believe Kennedy is being used as a pawn by the state to stop any further attempts to help Las Vegas-style gambling come into the city and state.

Kennedy began hosting Texas Hold 'Em tournaments in November.

Kennedy is seeking a preliminary injunction against the state in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas so he can continue hosting the tournaments.

The hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday before Judge Mark Betleski.

''This is a battle about the limits of what can be done in a bar,'' Kennedy said. ''I think this battle is part of a bigger picture in the state trying to stop gambling and casinos from coming into Lorain.''

Loraine Ritchey, former director for Main Street Lorain, said, ''I think the state was over the top when they raided Kennedy's. Mike was open about what he was doing. If the state thought he was doing something wrong, I don't see why they couldn't send him a letter ordering him to cease and desist what he was doing.''

Kennedy said that officials from the Ohio Department of Public Safety told him in November that it would be OK to host the tournaments as long as no money was involved.

''This is a big fight,'' said Kennedy's attorney, Ken Myers of Cleveland. ''The law has to be changed to show some clarity and consistency.''

Kennedy contends that Texas Hold 'Em is a game of skill not chance, and since there were no cash prizes given to the winners, no cover charge at the door or drink minimums during the tournaments, he should be allowed to host the tournaments.

The state, however, defines Texas Hold 'Em or poker as a game of chance that can't be played in a hotel, restaurant, tavern, store, arena, hall or a public place, according to Richard Cologie of the Ohio Investigative Unit.

By MIKE SAKAL

News Added: 04 April, 2005

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