Poker Games at Community Clubhouse

Hi all,

I'm new here, so apologize if this has been asked and answered. I am a new board member on an association in Virginia. We have had requests to use our clubhouse for poker tournaments, involving gambling with money. There are folks on both sides of the issue, so I'd like to know if other associations allow, or if it is even legal?

thanks

I am on a board in Virginia. We have researched this issue extensively. Basically the answer is that games of chance are illegal in Virginia except when conducted in your residence. The exception is Bingo which is licensed by the state and must be conducted by a charitable organization.

We are a gated community with an access controlled clubhouse. We would like to sponsor weekly small stakes poker nights. We felt that our private clubhouse would be no different than a private residence. However, after consulting with the state gaming commission and our attorney, the technical answer is that this would not be legal. We were told by the county sheriff that his department would not be concerned about this type of activity but the board has decided to post notices in our card room (which incidently is furnished with card tables with slots for poker chips) that poker playing is illegal.

A group of our residents (myself included) plays poker in the card room twice a week. No money is seen changing hands. The board has chosen to ignore this (don't ask, don't tell) but will not authorize poker as an official association event.

Well, a big loser in our games might be down $10 so its not much of a risk.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

Poker games, gambling? You have to be kidding me? Yes we do have a bunch of old men that get together to play poker but they play for chips, not real money.