6 Responses

1. wizjp

   December 10th, 2009 at 2:36 am

   1

   IN the US you can’t unless local gambling laws permit it; and in 99.9 % of the country they don’t. Start with an appointment with a criminal lawyer and ask him.

2. gnrwar

   December 10th, 2009 at 6:38 am

   2

   It’s not going to happen. If it were legal, it’d already be done by now. Your best bet would be to get Baldacci on your side and get the law changed. But that still won’t be good enough.
   Goodluck anyway. I’ll look for your place next time I pass through Portland…

3. badmfbri

   December 10th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

   3

   Most states have gambling laws that allow gaming in specific areas. Colorado has gaming in 3 mountain towns, river gambling is allowed in MO, IA, MS, and LA, and many states have casinos on Indian land.
   You might run into some legal problems running your business. One rule in most states says that gambling is legal as long as no profit is made by the business. You could run poker games and let your patrons gamble while charging for food and beverages.
   Do not take a rake or you will be in trouble!

4. bob_bark

   December 10th, 2009 at 6:13 pm

   4

   firstly, what state are you in. That makes a big difference right there. I like your idea, you may have to make it into a sort of riverboat style if you are inland, unless you can get onto an indian reservation. Good idea if the location is right..good luck.

5. My a Momma Mia

   December 10th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

   5

   I think I have an idea for you that MAY work. Around where I live there is a live poker league in taverns and restaraunts that advertise for free poker – and it is. Now, from time to time we hold CHARITY events where the buy in is say $60 and the charity gets $10 of it and the players winnings come from the rest. Should the Charity HIRE You to run the event, you could take a portion of the buy in also. $45 to players – $10 to charity – $5 to house. The players will then eat food and drink while playing or on break and you can make money there with the restaraunt also. Now, sometimes there MAY be a “friendly” game or two being held in the back corner of the room played with CHIPS. Might not work for you where you are at – but may have given you some sort of an idea. Check with your city clerk.

6. Dr. Bradley

   December 10th, 2009 at 9:46 pm

   6

   Well, to start, I hope you plan to open in Nevada or an Indian reservation. Those are basically the last places that you can gamble. I know there is one place back east that you can…New Jersey maybe?
   You have to get a gambling license I believe. The reason behind that is that gambling is heavily taxed by state governments. (Thats where Nevada gets its money to do just about everything.)
   You also have to be 18 to gamble. (21 if alcohol is served at your location.) So you would have to check ID’s.
   Contact your state or local government to see what you can/ can’t do. I know it differs in every state.
   I tried to find a list of places where gambling is legal…but I came up with nothing.
   Good luck!