AUTHOR: Jerry "Jet" Whittaker TITLE: Poker Could be Legalized in Texas Soon DATE: 7:36 AM ----- BODY: The House Committee for Licensing and Administrative Procedures heard
testimony Tuesday to legalize poker games in Texas. House Bill 3186 would
legalize gambling on poker games, and the Texas Lottery Commission would
provide oversight and age regulations. A percentage of the profits would go
to the state. The committee chairman vowed to kill the legislation, but bill
author Rep. Jose Menendez said he has support from other lawmakers. "Like it
or not, thousands and thousands of people are playing poker every day," said
poker professional Michele Lewis. "It's a matter of whether or not the
government wants to protect those players, and basically, do they want a
cut?" Poker professionals and Texas natives Lewis and Clonie Gowen said
underground games are not safe for players, and they are against the law. "I
think it's time that we step up here as Texans and make it safer for people
that are going to play," Gowen said. The bill would allow establishments
that hold a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission license to host games.
Players would have to be 21, and the state could profit, along with the
players. "I don't think we should have poker card rooms in every
neighborhood bar or in every warehouse," Menendez said. "I think you should
have it out in the open at certain locations where we can assure the public
that they are safe and secure." Menendez said he hopes the money will go to
charities and ease the burden on taxpayers. "At the end of the day, some of
the conservative estimates are that the state could reap somewhere in the
neighborhood of $150 million a year," Menendez said. While supporters of the
bill said it is a game of skill, opponents argued it was one of chance and
should remain illegal. --------