Welcome

RULES SHOULD REGULATE… NOT SUFFOCATE.

HELP US PROTECT AND REBUILD MICHIGAN CHARITY POKER.

Community Games such as Charity Poker and Bingo represent one of the smartest and most successful local fundraising models ever created. They bring together people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs who enjoy a hobby in an environment that combines friendly competition, entertainment, social interaction and community support.

Players get to enjoy a game they love. Local charities raise money for their causes. Licensed suppliers and their employees provide the equipment and labor. Local businesses benefit from the additional activity.

A BENEFIT NOT RECOGNIZED ENOUGH

Social and mental activity are especially important for seniors. Even a few hours a week spent enjoying a hobby, interacting with others and staying mentally engaged can help combat loneliness and provide meaningful social connection.

Look around almost any Charity Poker room and you will see these benefits in action.

WHEN CHARITY POKER SUCCEEDS, MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES BENEFIT.

We believe reasonable rules are necessary. Rules that protect charities, players and the public from fraud, dishonesty and abuse should remain and should be enforced. But rules should protect Charity Poker — not unnecessarily prevent it from succeeding.

Over the years, Michigan Charity Poker has been subjected to restrictions that we believe are unfair and unnecessary and have dramatically reduced participation, limited fundraising opportunities and made legal Charity Poker increasingly difficult to operate successfully.

SOME VERY SIMPLE QUESTIONS

WHY RESTRICT TRUTHFUL ADVERTISING?

Michigan charities depend upon public participation to raise money. Players cannot attend an event they don’t know exists. Licensed Charity Poker events should be able to truthfully and ethically advertise to the public, subject to the same basic principles against false or misleading advertising that protect consumers elsewhere.

WHY BAN HARMLESS PROMOTIONS PLAYERS ENJOY?

High-hand prizes, bounty tournaments and similar promotions can make poker more entertaining and encourage participation. More participation can mean larger prize pools for players and more successful fundraising for charities. Rules should prevent misleading, abusive or otherwise improper promotions — not automatically prohibit harmless ones.

WHY MAKE LEGAL CHARITY POKER HARDER TO SUSTAIN?

Charity Poker events require equipment, dealers, management, facilities and other operating expenses. Michigan’s rules should protect the charity’s share while also allowing the people providing the equipment and labor to operate economically sustainable businesses. This includes taking an honest look at Michigan’s tournament economics, including the prohibition on separate tournament entry fees and the effect that prohibition has had on the ability to offer viable tournaments.

WHY STACK UNNECESSARY RULES THAT PUNISH HONEST ACTORS ON TOP OF RULES THAT ALREADY PROTECT THE CHARITIES AND THE PUBLIC?

We believe these issues deserve an open, fact-based public discussion.

WE ARE NOT ASKING MICHIGAN TO ELIMINATE REGULATION.

We support strong rules against fraud, theft, diversion of charitable funds, dishonest operators and other genuine misconduct.

KEEP THE PROTECTIONS. ELIMINATE THE UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS.

The Michigan Charity Poker Club brings together players, charities, suppliers, employees, locations and Michigan residents who believe legal Charity Poker should be allowed to succeed. And we don’t want you to simply take our word for anything.

As this effort grows, MCPC will make supporting rules, government records, statistics and other documentation available so Michigan residents can examine the evidence and reach their own conclusions.

HELP US BUILD ONE VOICE

If you believe Michigan Charity Poker deserves fair, reasonable rules that protect the public without unnecessarily preventing legal Charity Poker from succeeding, we need your voice.