Judge Decision May See a Dallas Poker Club Close Its Doors

By Scott Bowen,
Editor at online-gambling.com

Scott Bowen Editor at online-gambling.com

Scott Bowen is a casino expert and editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He is one of the most valuable members of our team at online-gambling.com. Bowen specializes in writing on a variety of subjects, including roulette, blackjack, video poker, sports betting, and more.

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Last updated: November 9, 2022

A Dallas poker club may see its doors forcefully closed after a judge overturned a ruling made by the citizen board that allows the business to continue operating despite the intense effort of the city to shut it down. As of 2020, Dallas only authorized at least three poker operators, but the city officials changed their position after a year due to public pressure. At the moment, the city considers them illegal, referring to the ban on gambling in the state.

In a ruling signed on October 25, District Judge Eric Moye stated that the Dallas Board of Adjustment made an illegal decision and abused its discretion when it reversed the city’s revocation of Texas Card House’s certificate of occupancy. The Board of Adjustment was sued in the spring to overturn its March decision to permit the poker business to maintain its certification. The judge took sides with the city’s chief building inspection official.

The city also filed a lawsuit against Shuffle 24 and the Board of Adjustment. Shuffle 24 is an active poker business whose revoked certification was overturned in May. The trial for the suit is now scheduled to take place next summer. Dallas has paid outside lawyers that will represent the Board of Adjustment and the city’s chief building official, Andrew Espinoza.

Attorneys Ask Eric Moye to Prevent City from Enforcing the Judge Order

On November 1, the attorneys for Texas Card House requested Eric Moye to stop the city enforcement of the judge’s ruling while filing an appeal. One of the attorneys that is representing the poker business, Brian Mason, mentioned in his motion that a prompt shutdown would result in 235 employees losing their jobs and health benefits.

The next court hearing to determine if the city enforcement of Eric Moye’s ruling will be suspended is scheduled for November 28. One of the attorneys that is representing Andrew Espinoza in both lawsuits, Tom Brandt, said he knew Texas Card House’s plans to appeal but decided against commenting on how quickly the city would ask the business to close now its certificate of occupancy has become invalid.

Gambling Is Illegal in Texas

Gambling is prohibited in Texas, and this includes betting money or anything of value on any game involving cards, balls, dice, or other devices. However, it is legal if the game takes place in a private location or if no one receives any economic benefit aside from personal earnings. It is also legal if all players have the same chance of winning except when they have the advantage of luck or individual skill.

Poker supporters believe the game cannot be categorized under explicit gambling; they believe it is a game of skill. Poker businesses have been permitted to operate legally in the state by charging access or membership fees instead of collecting money from the games directly. The businesses contend that any winnings given to workers directly by players do not breach the law because tips are not compulsory, and players have the freedom to spend their winnings in any way they wish to.