Give me a freakin' break.  There's got to be more pressing problems out there.
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Poker raids target VFW and AmVets posts

Far East Dallas: Operators are cited

07:55 AM CDT on Thursday, April 19, 2007

By HOLLY YAN / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]

Two veterans organizations' posts were raided for alleged illegal gambling last weekend in Far East Dallas.

Police busted a poker operation at the AmVets Post No. 106, in the 2300 block of Oates Drive, on Friday night, Dallas police Lt. Christina Smith said.

The following night, police said, they broke up poker games at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1837, in the 2300 block of Lakeland Drive.

Poker operations are illegal "when the house takes a cut from the pot, as opposed to you having a friendly poker game at your house," Lt. Smith said. "The money paid in should be the same amount paid out," and the poker games should be in a private setting.

Roughly 10 percent of the pot was pocketed by the house at each location, police said.

Operators of the poker games face charges of keeping a gambling place, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Players were issued Class C misdemeanor citations with fines up to $500.

At the AmVets post, three operators face charges and six players were cited. No one at the post could be reached for comment Wednesday.

The VFW bust yielded 11 cases against operators and about 47 citations. A woman at the post Wednesday said no one there would be able to talk about the incident.

Police typically hear of such operations through anonymous tips and follow through by having undercover officers join the game.

"We can't execute search warrants without going in, playing the game and determining there is illegal activity going on," Lt. Smith said.

About $6,800 was seized from the VFW post. Police were told the proceeds were supposed to go to the ladies' auxiliary.

"There are only certain types of charities that can benefit," Lt. Smith said. "Usually raffles are the only legal form of gambling."

She said that if a judge decides at trial that the gambling was a legitimate operation, the money could be returned.

Police said those at the AmVets bust wouldn't say who was to get the profits from the poker games.

Another poker raid, at the Island Club in the 10800 block of Ferguson Road in Far East Dallas, on Friday night netted an additional two cases against operators and eight citations.

It's easier to go after some old guys playing cards than say, a dozen or fifty illegals.

The VFW post I attend takes a cut of the pot. That money is used to buy paint for the building, gas for the lawn mower and help the members when in need. I'm disgusted by the actions of the LEO organization that perpetrated the "bust". They should be ASHAMED!!!

VFW should have broken out the M1s and repelled boarders.......

Quoted: VFW should have broken out the M1s and repelled boarders.......

Jerks

Those cops are my heros.

Actually I need more information before I pass judgment.  I live one block away from an American Legion post that rents out it's facility for functions to raise money.  Just the dumbasses will rent it out to anybody, no questions asked.  Gangbanger funeral, check already did that, ended up as a running gun battle down the street.  So if the local cops busted a couple old Vets shame on them.  If instead they were bringing down some bullshit like I have to deal with good for them.  Not all Vets are honorable, sad but true.