House OKs Bill To Let Charities Host High-Stakes Poker Game

The Poker Gazette: AUGUSTA, Maine -- The Maine House has overwhelmingly approved a bill to allow charities to raise money by hosting high-stakes poker games. It's a measure that backers say legalizes and regulates gambling activity already going on under the radar in many social clubs and charities.

After House members approved the so-called Texas Hold 'Em bill Tuesday, the Senate referred it to the appropriations committee for review because it adds three staff positions to the Department of Public Safety.

It remains unclear if Gov. John Baldacci would sign the bill. His spokesman reiterated Baldacci's opposition to expansion of gambling in Maine and said he's undecided on the measure.

The bill would allow charities to apply for a poker license once every two months. The maximum entry fee for the games would be $100 per person and no more than 100 people would be able to play at a time. Seventy-five percent of the money raised would go to charity."

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