Poker Clubs, Internet Cafes Operate Illegally, According to Ohio Prosecutor

Last Tuesday, Ohio’s Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins made it clear that it is illegal for anyone to operate or promote games of chance and profit from these schemes in a hotel or any place of public accommodation. The law does not allow anyone to participate in any game of chance in a business establishment by playing or betting, as asserted by Watkins in a news report.

The Trumbull County Prosecutor firmly believes that gambling at so-called poker clubs and even through Internet cafes is against the law. Based on these violations, the authorities should file gambling charges and shut down establishments that are operating illegally, an opinion raised by the prosecutor.

Watkins’ opinion

This opinion by the Trumbull County Prosecutor came out after the Liberty Township was sued by a poker club, which operates in a motel and continues with its operation despite claims that the activity is illegal and there’s possibility of a police raid. The lawsuit filed by the poker club will put the law under scrutiny following the conflicting opinions on the matter from the police prosecutor and legal counsel of Liberty.

Watkins wants to clarify any confusion regarding the law that applies to the gambling operation, although he refused to discuss anything in particular. With the proliferation of Internet cafes and poker clubs, Watkins wants people to understand the stand of law enforcement agencies on the lawfulness of such operations. He believes that the law should be implemented with a clear understanding of the legal matter.

Watkins believes that he has the support of all law departments including that of the township and city police departments in reinforcing the law and making a unified stand against illegal gambling. He hopes that with his opinion on the illegal operation of poker clubs and Internet cafes, the concerned establishments will cease operating illegally in Trumbull County. He added that the police will have to collect evidence to support illegal gambling charges. If there’s clear violation of the law based on their findings, search warrants will be served. Arrests and prosecutions will ensue.

On the other hand, Watkins clarified that this doesn’t include hosting poker games at home or making private bets on golf courses. According to the prosecutor, they can still enjoy placing bets or playing poker or any game of chance in private settings.

Not violating the Ohio law

Club owners Kevin Forestal of Liberty and Craig Jason McCormick of Girard are represented by Attorney Gregg Rossi. Rossi made no comment on the prosecutor’s opinion. Still, he remained firm with his stand that Watkins is entitled to his own opinion but this doesn’t mean that he is right with his interpretation of the law. He said that his clients are not violating the Ohio law.