Bingo Halls and CHL

[the-rio-rat]

BINGO - i was told, by a police officer, that i cannot carry inside a BINGO hall ? I see nothing in the law about that particular establishment. And the owner WILL NOT post signs. CHL's are welcome as far as the owner is concerned.

[Keith B]

You better be carefull; some of those little old ladies in the Bingo Halls may consider it a professional sporting event!!!

[KBCraig]

While bingo sometimes falls into the "full contact" category, "sporting events" involve athletic skill. Bingo, poker, chess, etc., will never be ruled "sports". (Many of us question golf's inclusion as a "sport", but that's another argument. )

The officer probably conflated "bingo" with "gambling" with "parimutuel wagering at (dog and horse) race tracks".

[Keith B]

Just out of curiosity, is there any sort of case law regarding ruling a professional gambling game as a sport?

I'm not saying I disagree with you, just in my previous post I was straying on the extremely-cautious side.

I think this one would fall back in the same category as Professional Bass Fishing. Yeah, it's a sport with professionals, but is it what the law intended to prohibit us from? It might be prohibited because it would more than likely be held in a casino and that would make it off limits. There are none in Texas that I am aware of, but just across the borders there are plenty.

Grey areas are grey areas and until 'professional sporting event' is better defined in the statutes, or there is a test case, we will probably never know.

[Liberty]

BINGO - i was told, by a police officer, that i cannot carry inside a BINGO hall ? I see nothing in the law about that particular establishment. And the owner WILL NOT post signs. CHL's are welcome as far as the owner is concerned.

The police officer is incorrect. There is nothing under PC 46.03 or 46.035 that prohibits weapons on the premises of a building where bingo is taking place. As long as the building is not posted 30.06 or 51% you are fine to carry.

Now be careful if you ever go to a place in Texas where a professional card game is taking place, such as poker. That could easily fall under the blanket of a "Professional sporting event", which would not be ok to carry at.


Edit: Some people say a professional poker game would not be considered a professional sporting event. I would personally still be careful though.

Is professional card playing even allowed in Texas?

[jbirds1210]

There is a force much more powerful than 30.06 to keep me out of bingo halls......it is called cigarettes! Yuck!

Jason

[Liberty]

Is professional card playing even allowed in Texas?

It may not be now that I think about it, which just goes to show you that the government continually thinks they know what's best for you. (I've been reading a Neal Boortz book so I'm on a personal liberty streak right now)

I know exactly how you feel

[the-rio-rat]

Concerning the question about card playing ie: poker. Yes it is legal. Poker is a game of "skill" whereas bingo is a game of "chance" - both terms defined by law. One can host a poker game but all proceeds must, in turn, be paid back out to the winners. There is no "paid host" allowance, no rent for the building, etc. No way to "make money" just by hosting a game.