https://www.khou.com/article/news/po.../285-572145705

For reference, the link provided by OP is tied to an ongoing debate in various Texas cities and counties about the legality of live poker rooms, which charge membership fees and/or seat rental stipends in lieu of traditional rake. Poker room owners believe using this business model means their businesses do not fall under the realm of "places of gambling."

Here's a related 2+2 thread that discusses this situation in Houston/Harris County, which according to the article linked by OP has "at least 19 poker rooms open."

https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/2...ouble-1710038/

The elements of the litigation are discussed in significant detail over the Home Poker sub-forum.

The injunction effort is an interesting twist, but the OAG punting is not at all uncommon where there is litigation.

Tree doesn't fall in the forest, no one hears anything ?

It seems like a lot of contortionism to claim that a pot-rake and a time-rake are two radically different things.

Not really. One is taking money OFF THE TABLE and FROM THE PLAYERS whereas the other is based upon funds that do not impact table stakes. Very easy to differentiate between the two, especially as it related to the specific issues under Texas law.

What I can't believe is that we already have these rooms suing each other. It's just bringing unnecessary negative attention to these rooms. As someone who just moved to Austin from San Antonio, while I prefer the model of SA Card house to the hourly fee, i'm not about to drive all the way to San Antonio in I-35 traffic to play there. I seriously doubt they are taking business from Austin poker rooms.

I've looked at the state law, which say that the only permissible economic benefit can come from personal winnings. In other states which permit social gaming, this tends to be interpreted, if not written explicitly, that one cannot profit from running an establishment where poker is being played or derive income from dealing.

It would be very reasonable to interpret Texas law as not permitting these clubs.

Here's my article about it, if you're interested:

https://www.uspoker.com/blog/texas-p...opinion/23812/

Texas Card House charges members once they enter the club regardless of whether they are playing poker or not. It doesn't matter if someone is playing a cash game, playing a tournament, playing pool, or sitting in the corner sucking on their thumb. When you play in tournaments all money for the tournament is paid out. TCH gets its hourly fee.

Most other clubs, such as SA card house, charge using time tokens which are collected only when members are playing poker(or have a seat at the table). They also charge a flat fee for entering a tournament(And call it a membership, etc.). Those clubs are directly tying the activity of playing poker to the fee they are charging and while it may seem trivial to most, the law sees it as two very different things.

Shirley, you can't be serious?