Legal Question in Business Law in Colorado

Charitable Poker Tournament

I want to host a poker tournament at my bar where customers pay for their seats and a certain percentage of the money is donated to charity. The rest of the money would be used as prizes for the tournament. Is this legal, the bar would not get any of the money from the tournament.


Asked on 7/30/08, 7:03 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joseph T. Bernstein

Re: Charitable Poker Tournament

Unfortunately, your charity poker tournament would be illegal under Colorado law, even if all of the proceeds are donated to charity. In Colorado, if the contestants in a competition pay to enter the competition, this is considered "gambling", and gambling is illegal without first applying for a license with the Colorado Gaming Commission. There are several legal loopholes to get around this, however. At this point, you should consult with a lawyer to discuss those loopholes and determine if you can have your tournament.

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Answered on 8/01/08, 2:54 pm


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