The rules for paying dealers at Michigan’s charity poker rooms are changing. These are changes that have been kicking around for some time – the state is implementing them now. The rules were released effective March 18, 2011. The poker rooms around the state have until June 30 to come into compliance.
Michigan Charitable Gaming Inspectors will begin visiting every licensed room starting Monday, March 28, 2011, to bring copies of the Amended Rules and provide assistance with implementation of the Rules effective June 30, 2010 and the Amended Rules effective March 18, 2011. Therefore, Charitable Gaming recognizes that it will take several weeks for room operators and charities to come into compliance with these changes, and they have assured us they will be realistic and lenient with regards to enforceability until they have had an opportunity to visit the respective locations.
Here’s a summary of the changes:
- Dealers are now employees of the location or supplier. This means that the charities will no longer be paying the dealers for floor people out of the cash proceeds. The dealers compensation will come from the location or supplier.
R 432.21409
(9) A person assisting in the operation of a millionaire party shall be an employee or agent of a millionaire party location or a licensed supplier, except with prior written approval of the bureau. . . .
- Dealers may accept cash tips. Dealers *may not* accept chips as tips. Cash only!
R 432.21409
(11) A person employed by or an agent of a lessor, location, or licensed supplier may accept cash tips at a licensed millionaire party event.
- Dealers may not play at the location where they are employed.
The entire revised rules are available at the state web site – here Revised Rules.
From now until June 30th, the poker rooms will be in different stages of complying with the new rules. If you have a question about what’s going on at your local charity poker room, please ask the room manager about it.
If you have questions, I’ll do my best to answer them. Of course Michigan Charitable Gaming is the ultimate authority with the answers!
