Poker Runs Ruled Illegal in Texas

While not exactly “poker,” the popular “poker run” has become a more and more popular off-shoot of the current poker boom. Unfortunately for participants and the charities the runs usually benefit, the Texas Attorney General has deemed them illegal.

A poker run is a contest in which participants pay an entry fee, like in a poker tournament, and drive around collecting playing cards from different places. The people who finish the run with the best hands win cash prizes. Motorcycles have been the traditional vehicle used for the runs, but any mode of transportation can be used. Most poker runs are used as fundraisers for charity. Motorcycle clubs, as well as police and fire departments, are the most common groups to run the events.

Attorney General, Greg Abbott, said that these poker runs are in violation of Texas gambling law.

"Even if the contribution goes to a charitable cause and the nonprofit organization will pay prizes from other money, a participant pays money for the chance to win a prize," Abbott said. "Thus we conclude ... the nonprofit organization would become a custodian of a bet in violation (of the state Penal Code)."

While charitable organizations fear this ruling will hurt their fundraising efforts, there is hope. If the organizations simply do not give out cash prizes, they would not be running what the law equates to an illegal lottery, and thus would not be in violation. Then again, a poker run without prizes probably isn’t much fun.

Originally published December 29, 2005