Mich. Nonprofits Sue Over New Charity-Poker Restrictions

A group of Michigan nonprofits has filed suit against new state regulations being implemented this month to limit casino-style fundraisers, MLive reports.

The legal action follows months of legislative and bureaucratic wrangling over efforts by state officials to curb charity poker, which regulators contend has become a multimillion-dollar industry rife with gaming violations and crime. The new rules limit poker rooms to hosting charity games four nights a week, with no more than two such events per day at each location.

In their suit, the Michigan Charitable Gaming Association, 11 individual nonprofits, and three businesses involved in charity-poker operations contend the new rules penalize above-board groups because of a few bad actors and would “essentially eviscerate” their fundraising abilities. A bill approved by the state Senate and now before the House would allow the so-called millionaire parties seven days a week with up to four charities per location per day.