“Poker may be a game of skill, but that does not protect a man who hosted games of ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ from being prosecuted under an anti-gambling law, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. The ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York reversed a decision last year that said Lawrence DiCristina could not be prosecuted because ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ was a game of skill rather than chance. DiCristina was convicted under the law for running games of ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ at a warehouse in Staten Island, New York, which he publicized by text message and word of mouth. DiCristina faces 10 years in prison.”
