Four charged with running poker club

Metropolitan police today identified four people arrested in a raid on a Far-Westside poker club.

[Allen]

Silly kids. Only State officials can make money from gambling!!!

[Shannon M]

I find it crazy that there arent more important things to do besides ruin an evening of people tossing cardboard around for the money they worked for.

[The Real Poop]

Thank God those horrible men are off the streets. God only knows what they could have done in that industrial park with no weapons. To think, they were peacefully playing poker in private. For shame!

I hope the police catch every misdemeanor offender out there. Forget about the felons.

[individual]

A charge of "misdemeanor gambling." What's the harm to the citizenry? None! The issue is about government and its 'tax take' right off the top of gambling. Plus, when government is involved, the politicos can force gambling venue to put some of their political patronage cronies on the payroll.

[are you serious]

We have young girls getting assaulted once a week in the city, but the new "Bart-led" police force is to focus on busting poker clubs? What a joke - no wonder crime is out of control around here. It's a good time to be a criminal, bad time to play cards with friends.

[Ken_Tarmack]

There would be nothing illegal about it if the government could simply find a way to tax it.

[This paper reeks]

www.indysriverclub.com

In retrospect, maybe it's not such a good idea to advertise one's illegal activity on one's website. Perhaps I should take down my www.itakedrugsinindy.com website.

[wow]

and to think that the city continues to set records for homicide rates each year......great job fellas - keep it up

[Jack]

Anderson should worry about real crime that is right under his nose. What a self righteous hypocrite. When are the FOP's getting busted for poker? I know at least 4 or 5 county sheriff's who play poker every week at a certain location that is well known!!!

[joe smith]

Where was swat.I forgot they are watching pea shakes houses

[Anti-Ed-Yoderite]

Let's play IMPD Hold 'Em,

Officer Two: I'll see your poker club bust and raise you one meth lab shut down and two murder arrests,

Officer Three: I'm all in with my 80 truant busts.

[Allen]

They should conduct a massive sweap of Indianapolis and arrest anyone who makes a wager for money. Just arrest them all and be done with it.
oops guess that would mean we all go to jail!!!!!!!!! ever mind

[Westside]

To all you Poker Player leave your Money at Home its not illegal if they fine money you r betting with.NOT GUILTY PROVE IT I THINK JURY HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO.

[Westside]

To all you Poker Player leave your Money at Home Its Not illegal if they Don;t fine Money They Don;t Have a Case NOT GUILTY

[Wow]

I feel safer already... good use of resources!

[Polly]

LET'S JUST TRY TO GET SOME OF THE KILLER AND ROBBERY OFF THE STREET, IF PEOPLE WANT TO GAMBLE THEIR MONEY AWAY THAT THERE PROBLEM

[Mike B]

This paper reeks wrote:

www.indysriverclub.com

In retrospect, maybe it's not such a good idea to advertise one's illegal activity on one's website. Perhaps I should take down my www.itakedrugsinindy.com website.

You beat me to it.

From their member page ...

"IRC and its employees have no vested interest in which of its' members win or lose any
tournaments. Clubs such as IRC stay open at the deference of local governments. If you
lose a tournament and complain to a local official, and enough complaints are received, all
you will accomplish is the loss of your own club. "

The other poker club that got busted also had a web site and stuff.

There are several yahoo groups and meet up groups for Poker groups in Indianapolis.

[AMM]

Everyone run!!!! There are poker players everywhere! Please be aware, these men and women are dangerous - they are addicted to adrenaline; such an addiction can be very harmful to our society, especially when it leads to driving sober and not taking drugs. But the real harm is to the State. That is, its failure to receive its fair share (funny though...I've played poker with Senators, legislators, and the like - they don't seem to have a problem with the lack of tax money being allocated).

Again, I'll pose the same question as I've posed before: If I build a pond in my back yard, a barn next to it, and register an LLC for the specific purpose of card playing, can I hold poker tournaments?????? The State is getting its cut, and I'll be next to a body of water - that's all that's required right??(If the answer is yes, I hope you're laughing).

What happened to letting people do whatever they choose with the money they earn? I guess that's the libertarian voice within me clawing its way to the surface.

But AMM, gambling addiction is a real problem and we (the State) need to fix it. You're right, it can be a problem - and in some extreme cases may even lead to bankruptcy, poverty, welfare, etc. etc.(you see where I'm going here); BUT, I ask you (State), what do you think the numbers are like when you compare gambling addiction to cocaine, heroine, or meth addictions?? Think the scale tips one way or are they pretty equal in so far as the harms each addiction causes to society?

So, how about we spend less tax money and police man hours worrying about this so called problem and focus on some more pressing issues. Or, let's just keep wasting more money...you choose.

[unreal]

Peterson and his police force must be collecting money so they can fill that void that no one in indy seems to know how we are putting up 25 million for the 2011 superbowl. We know lilly put up 2.5 million of there drug money. I guess the poker raids and the new slot machines that the politicians are going to get the money under the table to save the horse tracks will fill the other 20 million, none to say how the hell are we paying for the new stadium. These poker raids are a joke, figure a way to tax them, so people that want to excercise there freedom to play poker, can do it without the worry of Johnny Law knocking down the door for 5400.00.

[poker joe]

Guess i'll have to play in another county. There are games like this all over if i can't play in Marion county because the police are bored and don't have anything better to do I can play in Hamilton or Deleware county where they don't seem to care about honest people minding their own business playing a little cards. GET REAL IMPD other counties spend their time and tax payer money solving real crimes and leaving regular joes alone