Nebraska Looks At Legalizing Live PokerBars, Nonprofits Could Apply For Approval For Games |
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A Nebraska state lawmaker is looking to circumvent the state’s anti-gambling laws by creating a carve out for poker thanks to it being a game of skill, according to JournalStar.com.
A bill is forthcoming, the report said.
Libertarian Senator Tyson Larson (pictured) is planning a bill to authorize brick-and-mortar poker games for bars, nonprofits and other groups deemed eligible by the state. Nebraska doesn’t have any commercial casinos. Under the plan, bars would need to purchase a special endorsement on their already-existing liquor license. Charitable groups could get a special short-term permit.
“You can be a professional poker player; you cannot be a professional coin flipper,” Larson said of the skill factor that would help make poker legal. “You can lose a poker game on purpose; you can’t lose a coin flip on purpose. You can have the worst hand in poker but be the best player. The math is there; the statistics are there. Poker is a game of skill; it is not a game of chance.”
Lawson plans to make Texas hold’em and other draw games admissible.
His proposal would tax poker games and use the money for property tax relief.
The 28-year-old state senator is also pursuing legislation this year that would eliminate last calls for bars in Nebraska, an exception to the state smoking ban for cigar bars, as well as the elimination of a mandatory five-minute break between keno games.
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