Pennsylvania attorney charged with multiple counts of holding illegal poker tournaments
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The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported over the weekend on the case of a Westmoreland County attorney being charged with several counts of violating state gambling laws by holding illegal poker tournaments in the area.
The attorney, Lawrence J. Burns, argues that poker is a game of skill and thus exempt from regulations on games of chance, which, if advertised, and held for profit other than to benefit a charity, are illegal. Almost $43,000 has been seized so far from Burns’s profits, which were not designated for any charitable organizations.
All the tournaments were publicly advertised, on both signs and Burns’ website, which is presently being used for legal and news updates on his case.
“It is common for states that legalize gambling to step up enforcement against illegal gambling so as to crush the competition,” said Bruce Barron, president of No Dice, an anti-gambling organization. “Casino-state governments overlook the hypocrisy because they are addicted to the revenues.”
Pennsylvania currently offers no gambling besides slots and racing.
