Home Game in a Wisconsin Tavern?

[srickstr]

Yes, that's right, in a tavern (during regular business hours). We play tournaments every week, the buy-in is between $10 and $30, and we average 12 players per week. Last week our discussions turned to the legality of our game. The bar takes no rake, the person running the tournaments takes no rake, we just play as though it is a home game. Any of you legal types out there have any opinion as to whether or not we are breaking any Wisconsin laws? No that we really give a crap, just curious.

[PhilTheThrill14]

Social gambling is not allowed in Wisconson and I think having it in the tavern is a no-no as it could put the Tavern and all it's assets at risk.

I would take some precautions and not have any money around - just play for the chips and fun (wink wink).

[Nexttime]

This is based purely on what I know about laws in my area. Home games are not an issue. Over the years some very nice law enforcement officers have visited home games I was playing in, looked around and left without any incident. The problem that comes up most often is the term "profiting from gambling".

I know people who have gotten hauled into court for that phrase under a couple of different meanings:

The first interpretation is when the house/player/dealer, etc, takes a 'rake' or a 'bad beat jackpot that never gets paid out'.

The second is if a business, like a bar, makes money because of people showing up to play. Off of food, drink, etc. Even if the business doesn't make any money directly from the game.

There have been convictions based on both versions of this interpretation of the law.

I am not a lawyer. I can barely spell lawyer. I'd recommend that you talk to one in your area.

[PhilTheThrill14]

In Wisconson they don't even allow Social Gambling according to the site I looked at (meaning it doesn;t matter if there's no rake, profit, etc).

[ttflyr]

One of the best "brick and morter" games I ever played was in Wisconsin. 90-100 players, $50 buyin in a truck stop basement. 4 cops show up 20 minutes into the game and make an arrest. Then, they leave quietly and were back to the game in no time flat. After that......I love Wisconsin!

[bsoder52]

ssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh

[dennis63]

We have a state-by-state list in the Wiki. Not sure why it remains there, but members can access it.