By
Eric Rosenberg Orleans Parish, which includes the city of New Orleans, is being excluded from a bill that will likely allow Louisiana bars and restaurants to hold Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. The bill is headed to the full Senate for debate after winning approval from a Senate committee yesterday.
Bar poker tournaments have been a subject of debate in Louisiana because state's liquor regulator claims the events violate state gambling laws. Supporters of the legalization of these poker tournaments claim that no laws are being broken because the host establishments are not getting a cut of the wagering.
The bill, written by Rep. Warren Triche of Thibodaux, proposes to allow businesses to hold poker tournaments once a week for people at least 21 years old as long as the establishment does not get part of the proceeds and doesn't charge an entry fee.
Bars and restaurants holding these events would be restricted from advertising the tournaments outside their normal business signs.
A similar bill last year by Triche, but it couldn't get passage in the House. No word on whether Gov. Blanco would sign off should the bill be voted into law.
