Poker league controversy in Oklahoma

Tuesday, June 29th 2004, 4:10 pm

By: News On 6

Poker leagues are popping up in night spots and restaurants all over Green Country. Thousands of players ante up at more than 70 free tournaments a week. But all the card playing is creating controversy.

Some folks are concerned the poker games are toeing the legal line. News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson says card players say it's just good, clean fun, not gambling. That is why they say it's not fair some of these poker games are being forced to fold.

Jack Murdock runs Free Poker Oklahoma. He organizes tournaments all over town that involve about 2,000. He says the games are free and they donâ€™t play for big payouts, just status and that's why he believes they are legal.

He says the Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission or ABLE doesnâ€™t agree and forced some businesses out of the game.

ABLE officials tell the News on 6 it is investigating the poker leagues to make sure they're not breaking the law.