Poker: On-Campus Poker Games Play With The Law

Published on Monday, November 15, 2004 6:52:23 PM

Poker fever is sweeping the nation, and the bug has hit students at Brown, who have set up regular games in the Lower Blue Room and dorm lounges around campus. But as popular as poker is - ESPN and Bravo both air shows featuring the game - students playing the game on campus might not know one important thing: playing poker for money is illegal in Rhode Island.

"Whether it's betting money or betting clothes ... as long as there is a prize in the context of the game, then it's a form of gambling, and any gambling not licensed by the state is prohibited," he told The Herald in an interview. "I would strongly recommend the cessation of poker games for money or any article of value," he added later via e-mail.

Addison said that this law is not limited to public places, but also applies to private property.

"If you and three of your buddies were sitting in your basement off campus playing poker, it wouldn't be legal," he said.

Chapter 11-19 of the Rhode Island General Laws covers state gambling and lottery laws. It states that any type of gambling, except for state-approved lotteries, is prohibited.

Anybody who participates in a game "for the purpose of exposing, setting for sale or disposing of any money, houses, lands, merchandise, or articles of value ... shall be deemed guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned not exceeding two years or be fined not exceeding two thousand dollars," RIGL 11-19-1 states.

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