Police scare charity off poker game

CBC News

SAINT JOHN — About 300 people hoping to play poker for charity were disappointed this weekend when questions were raised about the legality of the event.

The charity group United Commercial Travellers raised $2,500 with a poker event last fall, but police told the group they would have officers at the event to gather evidence this time around.

In the face of that threat, UCT cancelled the event. Paul Wentzell, chair of the UCT executive committee, says charities are looking for new kinds of events to raise money, and the poker games work well.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for charities and organizations," says Wentzell.

"It's the hot event right now and groups like UCT and the Lion's Club will tell you they are struggling to find that next good fundraising idea."

Wentzell wants the government to license charity poker tournaments.

Police say these types of activities are more common and that's why police are looking more closely at them.

Gaming events in New Brunswick are regulated by the department of finance. Spokesperson Vicky Deschenes says there's no time frame on licensing these activities in New Brunswick.

"The Texas Hold 'Em poker is a new trend in Canada, and the government is aware of this and is monitoring the situation," says Desschenes.

The only province that regulates poker gambling is Newfoundland.