Many poker players first pick up the game at home with friends. While these casual games are common, the legality of them varies depending on state law. In North Carolina, one lawmaker is trying to make it clear that playing poker with friends at home shouldn’t raise legal concerns.
Rep. David Willis introduced House Bill 424 in March to address this issue. The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee with a 7-3 vote and now moves to the House Rules Committee for further review.
The proposal would protect people who play games like poker in private settings—such as homes or community clubhouses—even when money or items of value are involved. However, the bill includes restrictions to keep these games casual. It bans the use of any electronic gambling machines and prohibits raked games, meaning players can’t charge a fee or take a cut. Only personal winnings are allowed.
Willis pushed for the bill after hearing from a constituent who had a dispute with their homeowners’ association about casual poker games. He believes neither the government nor HOAs should interfere with what people do in their own homes when no harm is being done.
“Nobody’s betting the farm,” Willis said during a committee meeting. “Nobody’s losing a mortgage. Folks have been getting together and doing this long before any of us were alive and they’ll continue long after we’re gone.”
The bill aims to draw a clear line between informal home games and commercial gambling operations. Willis wants to make sure people aren’t penalized for friendly games that involve low stakes and no outside business interests.
Still, not everyone supports the bill. Some lawmakers worry about how it could be interpreted down the line. They pointed to Texas, where some poker clubs have pushed the boundaries of what’s considered private gaming. Others noted that no one in North Carolina has been arrested over home poker games, so they questioned whether the bill is even necessary.
Rep. Pricey Harrison voiced her concerns, saying, “I appreciate what you’re trying to do and I understand it’s crazy that you can’t play poker and exchange dollar bills or whatever the stakes are in your house or in your clubhouse. But at the same time, I do have concerns … about how this is being interpreted and potentially expanded to something that you all aren’t intending.”
Willis said he’s willing to make changes to the bill to avoid any potential misuse or broader interpretations that would shift it away from its intended purpose. However, there’s little sign that lawmakers in North Carolina are ready to look into legalizing online poker.
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