Senior Centers 'Hold 'Em' Until Gambling Bill Regulating Poker Approved

The lyrics of Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler"—“You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em’”—have been looping though the minds of senior center members across the state while they wait on word if their weekly Texas Holdem tournaments can resume.

After the State Lottery Commission raided a Lapeer senior center last year and told centers across Michigan that they had to pay for a state gambling license to continue playing “Vegas-style” card games for $5 a player, most centers have suspended their tournaments.

“We’re waiting patiently and hoping to resume playing in 4-5 weeks,” said Debbie Webber Director of the Romeo Washington Groups Senior Centers.

Webber is waiting to see if a bill sponsored by Pete Lund, R-Shelby Township, that would prevent the Michigan Lottery Commission from raiding senior centers participating in card games will pass through the House and Senate.            

House Bill 5009, introduced to the House last Tuesday, allows members of a senior center to engage in limited gambling without legal action as long as the card playing is for amusement and recreation. Also, the bill would prohibit gambling for fundraising purposes and limit wagers placed in card games to 25 cents per bet and a maximum of $5 per winning round. Five dollars would also be the total limit an individual can play during any game.

"There are times when government benefits seniors and there are times when government needs to get out of the way—this is one of the times government should step aside," Lund said in a prepared statement. "Seniors should be allowed to enjoy their retirement years without the heavy hand of government interrupting harmless fun."

Romeo Senior Center member Andy Mikloiche, who ran the weekly tournaments of about 100 seniors, said the participation died out after the commission said it was illegal.

“We had to shut down the tournament because nobody wanted to play for nothing—even the seniors have a competitive spirit,” he said.

Mikloiche spearheaded Bill 5009 by contacting all the senior centers in the state and bringing several state representatives together. He said seniors want to be left in peace to play their favorite card games without having to feel like they are breaking the law.  

"On behalf of members of senior centers across our great state, I hope common sense will prevail so we can legally play cards," Mikloiche said.    

Webber told Patch that the weekly tournament is an economical and entertaining day for the seniors.

“I have a lot of ladies who loved to come in and play because they love the game but they were intimidated to go to the casinos,” she said. “It wasn’t high stakes—something they could afford, $5 a day and they were provided with coffee, treats and a day of entertainment.”

House Bill 5009 will now go to the House Regulatory Reform Committee for consideration.