January 31st, 2005

OP - News Staff

A charity poker tournament, scheduled to take place today in Rochester, NY, has been postponed due to concerns over the event's legality. The benefit's proceeds were to be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes Area. The event was to feature tournament-style Texas Hold'em.

Although law-enforcement authorities previously contacted did not seem concerned over the tournament's legal status, the state Attorney General's Office did express concern. According to a state Attorney General spokesperson, the problem lie in a third party benefiting from tournament proceeds.

Although the Attorney General's office allegedly did not pressure coordinators to cancel the event, upon being contacted regarding the event's legality, stated that it could be problematic. An Attorney General spokesperson was quoted as saying that card games are not illegal if all of the money collected is distributed to players in prizes.