Bar poker in Georgia - need some help

[chriscg]

This is for the State of Georgia.

My friend is going to be managing a country club this spring and we were talking about having a bar poker game. My vision for the game is to have it be as close to a real poker tournament as possible with buy-ins, payouts, and dealers while still being legal.

There is another game in town where the tournament director provides the players with a buffet for $10. When a player buys the buffet they get $10 in chips. Players who finish first and second in the tournament get $175 and $90 Visa gift cards respectively.

I want my game to be similar but I want to make sure I don't get in trouble for it. What steps should I take to make sure I will be safe legally?

 

[CSO286]

This is for the State of Georgia.

My friend is going to be managing a country club this spring and we were talking about having a bar poker game. My vision for the game is to have it be as close to a real poker tournament as possible with buy-ins, payouts, and dealers while still being legal.

There is another game in town where the tournament director provides the players with a buffet for $10. When a player buys the buffet they get $10 in chips. Players who finish first and second in the tournament get $175 and $90 Visa gift cards respectively.

I want my game to be similar but I want to make sure I don't get in trouble for it. What steps should I take to make sure I will be safe legally?

Go talk to Uncle Vito's mouthpiece. He'll hook ya up.



Seriously, speak with an attorney who specializes in gaming. Don't DIY this.

 

[xylene]

What steps should I take to make sure I will be safe legally?

Don't allow illegal gambling in your licensed premise.

Personally, I do not believe the law allows what you propose.

Consult a gaming lawyer.

Don't confuse "NOT prohibited" with "allowed"

Your license to serve alcohol could be imperiled.

ADD - lots of bars have illegal promotion or do illegal conduct. Does not serve as defense if you are served a summons or otherwise busted

 

[FlyingRon]

Gambling is illegal in Georgia. All the bar tournements I am familiar with in Atlanta do not require "buy in" by the participants so it's technically not gambling.
Making them buy the "buffet" to enter is technically illegal. If you want to have the tournament entry for absolute free, you're free to make up the difference in whatever you charge for voluntarily purchased drinks and food.