June 11th, 2008
BRANFORD — Police raided a West Main Street restaurant Tuesday and broke up an illegal poker tournament, police said.
They seized about $1,400, along with poker chips and playing cards, from the SBC Restaurant at 850 W. Main St.
David Rutigliano, 42, the owner, was charged with illegal gambling, a misdemeanor, Branford police reported. He was cited and released on a promise to appear in court.
According to police, authorities were operating on an anonymous tip about gambling there and, along with East Haven police, interrupted the game.
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The information police received was that the owner had been hosting poker tournaments for some time. The establishment charged a $40 entrance fee for gamblers, and about 40 people were there when police showed up Tuesday, police said.
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NHRegister.com
June 16th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I was playing in that tourney. The sad thing is that we were operating legally, or as legally as you can under vague state rules. The law allows poker among people who have a prior social relationship not related to gambling. We are members of a private club who use a room in the restaurant/bar, which the proprietors let us use in order to attract business.
Sadly, a very bad mistake was made when underage players were allowed in the game. No one “carded” them when they joined the club and they were not questioned unless one of them ordered an alcoholic beverage. From what one of the officers told me, one of their mothers called the police.
That was the end of the game. Live and learn.
WillInNewHaven
July 1st, 2008 at 11:56 am
You have to be kidding me, why would he let the under aged people join.
Either way. The state’s official position on private poker and online poker is a lie. THey only cite half of the statute. And forget the part that allows for the exemption for players with a bona fide social relationship. They also claim that online poker is illegal because it has not been deemed legal. Which is totally BS.
-Erik