http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/01/police_say_poker_tournament_at.html
Police say illegal poker tournament at Kentwood hotel featured topless dealers, alcohol
By Nate Reens | The Grand Rapids Press
January 20, 2010, 5:28PM
Grand Rapids Press File PhotoKENTWOOD -- It was a poker game most guys could appreciate -- the female dealers were topless, players were fed Jello shots and there were, at times, thousands of dollars to be won on the tables.
The only hold up in the hold 'em tournament that night: The players and operator got busted.
Police say they arrested 20 people on misdemeanor gambling charges and will seek a warrant for a two-year offense against a Detroit man for running the illegal operation out of a conference room at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, 3333 28th St. SE.
"They were so open about it that it was really unusual," state police Lt. Curt Schram said. "They put out fliers, advertised on Craigslist and were trying to bring people in by telling them it was all legal.
"No gambling in Michigan is legal unless it's for charity or in a regulated casino."
The Saturday game was the third in a series of tournaments held by the Grand Rapids Poker Club. Authorities did not release the name of the head of the club because he has yet to be charged.
Undercover lottery investigators attended earlier games at the hotel, which has been charged with Liquor Control Commission violations. Another game was planned for Jan. 30, Schram said.
The games were not high stakes and did not involve large buy-ins, but the total pots climbed with bets from players, Schram said.
"This raised concerns because it was being done in a hotel that anyone could have walked in and been exposed to something they didn't want to see and don't want their children to see," Schram said.
Investigators say they know poker games play out in homes, but have no plans to regulate that activity unless it gets out of hand.
The operator of the games told police he was running a legal tournament based on state law that says as long as there is not a rake -- a commission taken for profit from each pot -- it does not violate gambling regulations.
Kentwood Police Chief Richard Mattice believes the tournament was an anomaly. The gambling allegation is the first in the city in several years, he said.
Ramada administrators told police they rented the room for the private function, but did not know an illegal activity was going on inside. Management was led to believe the game conformed to state laws.
"We value our relationship with the City of Kentwood and its leaders, and the community in which we serve and as such, we have made changes to our event evaluation process to ensure 100 percent that this will never happen again," said Norman Leslie, the hotel's owner.
The 20 gamblers who were arrested are set to appear in Kentwood District Court for Jan. 26 arraignment hearings. If convicted, they face up to 90 days in jail.
E-mail Nate Reens: nreens@grpress.com
Police say illegal poker tournament at Kentwood hotel featured topless dealers, alcohol
By Nate Reens | The Grand Rapids Press
January 20, 2010, 5:28PM
The only hold up in the hold 'em tournament that night: The players and operator got busted.
Police say they arrested 20 people on misdemeanor gambling charges and will seek a warrant for a two-year offense against a Detroit man for running the illegal operation out of a conference room at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, 3333 28th St. SE.
"They were so open about it that it was really unusual," state police Lt. Curt Schram said. "They put out fliers, advertised on Craigslist and were trying to bring people in by telling them it was all legal.
"No gambling in Michigan is legal unless it's for charity or in a regulated casino."
The Saturday game was the third in a series of tournaments held by the Grand Rapids Poker Club. Authorities did not release the name of the head of the club because he has yet to be charged.
Undercover lottery investigators attended earlier games at the hotel, which has been charged with Liquor Control Commission violations. Another game was planned for Jan. 30, Schram said.
The games were not high stakes and did not involve large buy-ins, but the total pots climbed with bets from players, Schram said.
"This raised concerns because it was being done in a hotel that anyone could have walked in and been exposed to something they didn't want to see and don't want their children to see," Schram said.
Investigators say they know poker games play out in homes, but have no plans to regulate that activity unless it gets out of hand.
The operator of the games told police he was running a legal tournament based on state law that says as long as there is not a rake -- a commission taken for profit from each pot -- it does not violate gambling regulations.
Kentwood Police Chief Richard Mattice believes the tournament was an anomaly. The gambling allegation is the first in the city in several years, he said.
Ramada administrators told police they rented the room for the private function, but did not know an illegal activity was going on inside. Management was led to believe the game conformed to state laws.
"We value our relationship with the City of Kentwood and its leaders, and the community in which we serve and as such, we have made changes to our event evaluation process to ensure 100 percent that this will never happen again," said Norman Leslie, the hotel's owner.
The 20 gamblers who were arrested are set to appear in Kentwood District Court for Jan. 26 arraignment hearings. If convicted, they face up to 90 days in jail.
E-mail Nate Reens: nreens@grpress.com
