Hearing for Legalized Poker Today in Texas House

The Texas House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee is holding a hearing today to listen to arguments for and against House Bill 3186, which proposes to legalize and regulate poker in the state. 

Currently, poker games are legal in Texas only if they are held in a private place and the house does not receive any economic benefit.  The bill, which was introduced by Rep. Jose Menendez, allows for the Texas Lottery Commission to determine which establishments would be allowed to hold poker games.  Those establishments would be able to profit from the games and, of course, the state would take a cut, too. 

While there is obviously expected to be opposition from those opposed to gambling, the Houston Chronicle reports that dissenting voices have been relatively quite so far.

 To that end, Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance said, “I don't understand why anybody would oppose creating legal, regulated gaming that provides revenue for all Texans.”

Originally published 4:49 PM Wednesday, April 04, 2007