The Canadian national police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have
been active in the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia recently and are
reported to be investigating some 60 allegedly illegal poker games
in the region.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported this week that the
Mounties are paying particular attention to games of poker being run
by local public houses, even where the effort is on behalf of charities.
Describing these events as unregulated and unlicensed the RCMP has
warned that those involved in organizing the games will have to obtain
a permit or run the risk of a criminal prosecution.
The poker players are not themselves committing an offence by playing
in the tournaments; it is the individuals and companies that organize
and host the gatherings that could face criminal sanctions, or the
loss of liquor or other existing licenses.
The exclusive permission of the government's Nova Scotia liquor and
gambling regulator is required for any organized poker games that
take place outside of a licensed casino environment, the Mounties
claim. And according to one officer, the RCMP is also investigating
complaints of private gambling operations in residential neighborhoods.
Supporters of the tournaments have counter claimed that the province
laws require more clarity on the issue, and allege that provincial
government authorities themselves seem confused over what is permissible
and what is not.