By Corinna Allen
and KATU Web Staff
Portland, Ore. - When professional poker player Annie Duke sits at a table, it seems like the chips are always stacked in her favor, but that winning streak came to an end when she tried to put on a tournament to raise money for the Portland Public Schools.
The Oregon Attorney General's office turned down her offer, saying they could not accept the money because charity poker tournaments are illegal in Oregon.
"I'm really confused by that because you're not gambling at all, you're just making a charitable donation and then playing a game," she says.
Duke has four kids in Portland Public Schools and was hoping the tournament would raise more than $25,000 for their schools.
For its part, Portland Public Schools said no as well because they do not sponsor games of chance. Instead, the tournament would have to be sponsored by the PTA or the Schools Foundation.
Duke says she finds it ironic that in a state where public schools take in nearly $500 million a year from the Oregon Lottery, they will not accept money from a charity poker tournament.
"I do find it a little strange that here is a state that not only has a lottery that funds public schools, but has an online component to the lottery where people can sit at home and gamble online," she says.
Some people in Portland agree.
"At this point in time, I think it's ridiculous because the state is hurting and we're hurting," says parent Celeste Guodace.
"I think it's ridiculous," says grandparent Lois Barber. "Any way that we can get money for our kids, we have five little grandchildren, why not? What does it matter?"
The issue of charity poker tournaments will be addressed in the Oregon State Legislature this month.
To voice your opinion on the topic, just head to the following link:
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